Take It On Tuesdays: I wanted to break his neck

Take It On Tuesdays is a weekly encouragement for you to either Take It or Take It On. You'll use both depending on the work situation. You may need to turn the other cheek or confront, surrender or stand your ground, step back or step up. Here's to knowing which and when, and having the courage to follow through.

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Todd was, by far, the most annoying co-worker I ever had. From my very first day as a laborer on the roofing crew he pushed me. Snide remarks about me going to college, harsh insults when I didn't know the names of materials or made mistakes, endless and unforgettable profanities about women.... He was that guy who could push until he sensed you might actually break his neck and then he'd quickly back down to avert the threat. 

The things is - and this is what kept me from actually breaking his neck - he needed help. Once I realized that his behavior came from a lifetime of dysfunction and abandonment, I began to soften. My hatred subsided. Was it easy to Take It? Never. But it got better. In fact, I don't think he knew what to do with being loved.

Todd needed something he'd never find through the only way he knew how to behave. That was the reality and I couldn't wait around for him to be respectable before being granted my care.

Take It when you run into Todd this week.

5 comments:

Glynn February 9, 2010 at 11:47 AM  

Sam, every one of us has a Todd in his or her life. Thanks for reminding us what we should be doing about it.

Anonymous,  February 9, 2010 at 1:05 PM  

you are cool

Anne Lang Bundy February 9, 2010 at 4:53 PM  

How well you've depicted the adage "There isn't anyone you couldn't love if you knew their whole story."

Unknown February 9, 2010 at 6:44 PM  

If there's a personal growth area related to this (There is), it's learning to listen for the story as quickly as possible. When the first infraction occurs, I want to ask, "Why? What's behind this?"

Even if I don't/can't have access to the whole story, I can assume there is one.

David Rupert February 10, 2010 at 1:59 PM  

Sam
I work around those people. And I have a maxim -- "Treat them with Love"

Love disarms the vile, strengthens the coward, and encourages the angry.

It works

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