Sometimes reality gets so bad that you wish you have the power of anamorphosis. That you can simply move into another position, change angles a bit, look at what you’re seeing and see a totally differently image.
I’ve been shocked today by the discovery that someone in our employ, a blood relative, has AGAIN attempted to steal from us. Note the word again. Repeated. Despite warnings and chances at a fresh start.
I’ve tried to look at it from a different position, a different angle but the image gets uglier and more contorted. The more I analyze, the less reason I find for compassion or understanding. In their stead, intolerance for lack of integrity, disdain for the abuse of trust.
I’ve often believed people are innately good. Today, I met an exception– someone who would, given a chance, lie and steal, and lie some more to steal some more.
Surely he must have a reason, a pressing need?
He gets sick or falls asleep on duty due to the long hours he keeps in beerhouses. He has a long list of unpaid debts, he barely supports his family, yet he’s an expert about every GRO and every nook and cranny of the nightlife in San Pedro.
Do the math, then tell me if any amount of anamorphosis can make me see this in a different light.
We do what we have to do. I have had the sad task of letting people go. It only becomes evident when the guidelines set for the job are broken. But it does not make it any easier. Here in the US it is worse… they ask the person to leave the premise post haste, still giving the person 2 weeks pay but baring the person from the building. I at least see them off gracefully… my boss not so much.
September 10, 2007 @ 8:46 am