We’ve all had times like that. Sometimes they run together.
One day recently the rat sauntered into my office like he owned the place, stinking up my aura with his 2-pack-a-day habit. Asking if I was busy (and not listening to my answer of yes, very), he took a seat before I could stop him. Not like it would have mattered. I bit my tongue as he prattled on about his life, his health, his adventures, his stresses, himself, him, him, and his other favorite topic, him. When he pushed me for information and updates, I diverted back to his favorite topic: him. Soon, he tired of my lack of involvement, and said with a pout, “Well I felt I owed you a visit.” My wax museum half-smile and a squinty-eyed look was the last he saw of me before slinking away to look for crumbs and colleagues.
Before that day and since co-workers have asked … “so … what have you heard from him?” And my answer is always the same. “Not much and that is just fine with me!”
See here’s the thing: the experience you have with someone is yours alone. Unfortunately some save their best for everyone else – and their snarky comments, nasty treatment and *ahem* b.s. is saved for you and you alone. I know this is someone who didn’t work .. but worked hard – overtime, really – at appearing fun-loving and well-connected. And if you spend any time at all – any – trying to convince others that the person they know as a certain way is otherwise, you’ll come off looking like a maniac. Trust me on this.
But I know the truth. And here’s the thing with me. Once I know who you are … really are … I’ll accept you. If I know your spirit is good, that you are kind and hard-working and do you best to be a good person, I’m in. 100%. To the contrary, it doesn’t matter how much veneer someone slaps on the wagon, I can recognize a Charlatan driving it from a mile away.
But hey, I didn’t bite, so in hindsight, it was a good day! 🙂
<><><><><><><>
Can you relate to this story? Who do you know is one way with you but another with everyone else? How did you cope with it? Were you able to excise yourself from the situation?