08-27-2008, 11:35 AM
Harrison, a twenty five year old manager in a firm, told me about a very controversial situation. Here is his story:
“One of my work colleagues, Mrs. Mary Sherman, - an elder woman about fifty years old, - told me:”I love you, as if you were my son.” She mentioned the same words on other occasions and in the presence of my all colleagues. It appeared that she was sincere in expressing her affection for me. But after a few months I heard that she spoke badly to one of my close friend. There were other people complaining to me about her bad character.
One day though, Marry burst with sharp words against me. She was very upset with the fact that I didn’t help her with her assignment as I did before. Usually I gave her some advices and talked to her frequently. She said that she didn’t like the way I was doing my job and that my behavior was unacceptable. I planned to take some administrative actions against her. I knew that she suffered from diabetes, but her words were too much for me to bear. So I decided to take along with me my supervisor to help me in dealing with the bad character of Mrs. Sherman. But preparing to this meeting, I began recollecting all the kind words I heard from Mrs. Sherman. Never had I thought then to plan a special meeting with her and to thank her for the great support and encouraging words!
Next day, before the scheduled meeting, I encountered Mrs. Sherman. She was smiling and radiant. I was about to pass by, but she approached me and shook hands with me. At that moment, I suddenly understood her character. She was very sensible to people’s lack of attention and consideration to others. Because of her illness, she couldn’t control her nerves and that’s why she spoke harshly to people. By the way, she called me five minutes later, asking to get a day off during the next week to go to visit her doctor. “I can’t control my emotions and I usually visit my doctor once a year with this problem”, - said she calmly. "And don't forget that I love you as I if you were my son", - added Mrs. Sherman. I called my supervisor, telling him that there would be no meeting with Mrs. Sherman".
So, how to be at peace with other people? What does the above situation, taken from real life, show?
“One of my work colleagues, Mrs. Mary Sherman, - an elder woman about fifty years old, - told me:”I love you, as if you were my son.” She mentioned the same words on other occasions and in the presence of my all colleagues. It appeared that she was sincere in expressing her affection for me. But after a few months I heard that she spoke badly to one of my close friend. There were other people complaining to me about her bad character.
One day though, Marry burst with sharp words against me. She was very upset with the fact that I didn’t help her with her assignment as I did before. Usually I gave her some advices and talked to her frequently. She said that she didn’t like the way I was doing my job and that my behavior was unacceptable. I planned to take some administrative actions against her. I knew that she suffered from diabetes, but her words were too much for me to bear. So I decided to take along with me my supervisor to help me in dealing with the bad character of Mrs. Sherman. But preparing to this meeting, I began recollecting all the kind words I heard from Mrs. Sherman. Never had I thought then to plan a special meeting with her and to thank her for the great support and encouraging words!
Next day, before the scheduled meeting, I encountered Mrs. Sherman. She was smiling and radiant. I was about to pass by, but she approached me and shook hands with me. At that moment, I suddenly understood her character. She was very sensible to people’s lack of attention and consideration to others. Because of her illness, she couldn’t control her nerves and that’s why she spoke harshly to people. By the way, she called me five minutes later, asking to get a day off during the next week to go to visit her doctor. “I can’t control my emotions and I usually visit my doctor once a year with this problem”, - said she calmly. "And don't forget that I love you as I if you were my son", - added Mrs. Sherman. I called my supervisor, telling him that there would be no meeting with Mrs. Sherman".
So, how to be at peace with other people? What does the above situation, taken from real life, show?