Living Moments (Part 9)

A friend whom I’ve known for more than 20 years and I were reminiscing about the past. There were a lot of things we could catch up on but somehow we spent some time talking about a mutual friend.

She was complaining about how ungrateful he was. She had make a lot of sacrifices to help him and somehow, he never took it to heart. In fact, he had backstabbed her on a few occasions.

While listening to her, I could not help feeling the same way about this person too. He was a friend I rather did without and was happy to <Del> from my life.

I first met him when he was a salesperson and his immediate superior reported to me in the company. He never felt welcomed by his manager and if anything else, he felt that he was sidelined by him.

I spent some time befriending him and made him feel that he was an important part of the organisation. At the least, I made him a little more comfortable in the office.

Subsequently, we both left to pursue different career. He joined one of our suppliers and once again, he felt that his next manager did not like and appreciate him.

We kept in contact and I was a sounding board for some of his entrepreneurial ideas. While he was keen to start out on his own, he never took the first step.

By then, I was running a business and was doing reasonably well. I offered him a job to learn a relatively new trade that I had painstakingly developed.

I was not willing to share it with anybody except someone whom I thought I could trust. Sadly, my trust was misplaced.

To cut a long story short, a short while later, he left my company and took some of my staff with him. Although his business did not quite take off, he ended up working for one of our vendors.

All these years while I was helping him, he was never appreciative about it – not that I expected it from him. What i did not expect was that he spread rumors about me and deliberately sabotaged my business.

As I reflected on this person and the harm that he has done to me, I asked myself, “Do I hate him?” I searched my soul and I’m sure the answer is, “No”.

Do I carry any resentment against him? The answer is – No. Do I wish for the worst for him? Again, No.

I have learned that there is no need to waste any energy on people like him. If I carry any negative emotions against him, it will only affect me. In addition, it will distract me from pursuing positive values and fulfilling my dreams and calling in life.

People like him strengthened me. They made me wiser in dealing with others and managing relationships. Moreover, they softened me. Instead of being cynical, I want to channel more love, kindness and compassion to needy people.

Finally, they enlightened me. I endeavor to fight for the right cause and help to bring about a better world.

If genetic make-up can be passed down to future generations, I pray that they will be wise in the negative aspects of the worldly ways. At the same time, they will continue to see good in others and help to turn the world the right side up.

I hope this message will find a place in your heart.

By the way, I have also recorded other reflections.

Visit my Inspiration blog at http://liewinspiration.wordpress.com/

Visit my Transformation blog at http://hsrpatrickliew.wordpress.com/

Please read them and continue to teach me.

Life is FUNtastic!