Misery Business
Now from the top, make it drop, that's some wet ass...
The older I get…
…The more I see myself becoming my dad. And the less tolerance I have for people’s mamadas (bullshit).
See, he’s a business owner, and as a business owner, one of your main responsibilities for a successful, well, um, business, is to find amazing workers. But, as any business owner knows, finding an amazing staff is a fucking pain. Of course, there’s the downright horrible people who lie, cheat, and cut corners, but then there’s the trickier lot: good people limited by their personal flaws (or mamadas if ya feeling nasty).
To determine if and where they fit into his business, my dad has to analyze their character, counsel my mother, and ask, “How much work can they handle? Will they stay as an employee or do they have the drive to move up? Are they good with people? Yes, they’re amazing with people but they’re slow workers. So, it’s best to bring in this person instead. But this person is only available during the weekends. But the weekend jobs require two people. Who can we pair them with? Jane Doe. But they tend to goof off too much with Jane Doe. Speaking of Jane, she’s quite co-dependent and has been slacking and panicking during her solo shifts. Pair her with Jon. But Jon…”
On and on the character analysis goes. Such is the life of a business owner.
Such is life, really.
People
One way or another, you’re going to have to deal with them. Sure, maybe not in business, but definitely in the realm of friendship and romance. And we all (unless you’re a downright psychopath) seek an amazing group of friends and romantic partners. But, to figure out if and where these potential friends (lovers) fit into your life, you’re going to have to analyze their character, get a feel of the intensity of their flaws (mamadas), and seek counsel from trusted sources. Then, you have to decide what to do with that potential relationship, putting up the appropriate boundaries or cutting all ties with them.
Misery Business
I’ve recently decided to cut all ties with someone with whom I’ve put the appropriate boundaries before (they reached out in a time of need, and my empathy answered the call). Deep down, they’re good people, but their flaws (mamadas)… my goodness, they don’t just limit themselves but others. Ya’ll know who I’m talking about—the type of people that drain your energy rather than uplift you after hanging out. The type who won’t just take your helping hand, but rip off your fucking arm. The type who’ve been living miserably for so long that it kind of seems like they like it.
It’s what they’ve known.
It’s what they’re comfortable with.
Thus, their thoughts and dialog—with themselves and others—revolve around misery.
And it’s downright fucking exhausting.
I’m in the Business of Happiness, Let’s Take it from the Top
Uplifting others should be the norm.
If you can’t do that, then your mission for the day should be to keep to yourself and not bring anyone down.
Yes, yes, we’ve all got our problems, traumas, and challenges; yes, the world is fucked, and this country (M’erica) is built so the rich get richer, and the poor get screwed, but that’s no excuse to give up and intentionally (or unintentionally) destroy others. Na, son, you ought to stand tall, look Armageddon in the eye, and say, “Ya ain’t bringing me down. I’m choosing to be a good force for all, ya hear?”
Nihilism gets really old, really fast.
Optimism should be the new sexy.
Final Words
People. Can’t live with them, can’t live without them—as a business owner or as a fellow hooman being. While it’s tempting to say fuck the world after dealing with good but extremely flawed people—to look down at the hole in which they’ve dug themselves in, enjoy the suffering that is their life before pouring gasoline and lighting the match that’ll liberate—
Too far?
Yeah, too far, too soon. My bad. The villain in me still has a grip. But, hey, at least I’m self-aware enough to notice it, address it, and fix it. To read the room and understand that I’m making you uncomfortable. Don’t worry, I can’t and won’t let the villain take hold no matter how badly he wants to because then I’ll be part of the problem.
In business, I’ll be another soulless corporation that puts money over people.
In romance, another asshole that makes the other believe there’s no good men or women in the world anymore.
In politics, another waste of life dividing the world with hate and anger, left and right, spouting bullshit after bullshit after bullshit.
Problems. God knows we have enough of them so let’s start becoming part of the solution.
😉