Admiration Despite Feelings of Hate: Finding a Ray of Hope in the Dark Realm of Emotions || Thoughtful Thursday Prompt #29
Hey there, people of the Thoughtful Daily Post Community! 🌟
Newbie here! Thanks to the admin and moderator for their warm greetings to this astonishingly inspirational space. An enchanting reservoir in which ideas have dug their roots both large and small, I find myself motived to plant my own along with you. This week’s challenge—“Name Three Things You Admire About Someone You Hate”—got retroactively stuck in my mind; how do we separate out disliking someone from being able to draw good? Let us discover together! But first, let me introduce to you a one-time "teacher of hate" in my life.
Backstage--Who Casts a Shadow
Imagine a guy at work for a two-year stretch who made my heart race every time his name was hit at the office--for the sake of the exercise, let us call him Andre. His arrogant attitude, sharp-tongued, highly competitive ways created an office that fairly dripped tension. Underneath all the friction, though, three contours gradually breached the shadowy horizon of my anxiety with brilliant light.
1. Determination on Deadliest Grounds Like Roots Through Stone
Have you ever met a person whose principles were like steel-hardened, ice-cold, and not easily broken? He was that person. It was one morning when we'd got hell from the client to suit their interests; we're changing report data. Compromising is no big deal for most people; however,Andre outright refused the instructions for "being flexible," even coming from our boss.
When Andrea opened the meeting with that remark, he possessed a calmness that admittedly had a slight resounding sense of menace. I hated him during those times because his stubbornness made our team regarded as a disgrace. And at night, I ask myself: "Will I be that strong, if my principles are tested?"
It is the quality of calmness in sustaining one's beliefs that strikes me as an old oak tree in the forest: beaten by gusting winds, yet retaining its grip on the ground through its roots. From that, I have learned that steadfastness does not mean mere obstinacy but courage to face the consequences. Even now, the image of Andre's demeanor reminds me to remain strong in my beliefs when the very idea of giving up flits across my mind.
2. Sharp Intelligence: A Double-Edged Sword
My biggest conflict with Andre is his attitude towards certain situations, which at times feels like a double-edged sword. On one-hand, Andre is quite analytical, logical, and has brilliant strategies; on the other, that intelligence is often used to "murder" other people's arguments on the basis that theymight not fare so well in competition with Andre's fine-honed logic.
After an intense discussion about the promotion strategy, I suggested awarming campaign that would speak to the heart and Andre proposed analytical data and algorithms. He coldly pointed out 10 weaknesses in my idea—from market research to unrealistic budgets. I went home crushed. The next day, the notes from the debate sat in front of me, and the truth in Andre's criticism became clear: I was focused too much on feeling good without any support.
So there emerges the paradox: Intelligence wrapped in ego is poison; with a pill of truth, it s the medicine we could take. Andre taught me that sharp thinking can be the most powerful weapon-as long as we don't get hurt by the egocentricity that goes with it. So, I have begun collecting my "intellectual knives" from such people, hoping to sharpen them with humility.
3. Tireless Dedication: The Machine That Never Stops
If hard work and dedication were really measured in how many hours one puts in, Andre would win the gold medal. One night I returned to the office to pick up my wallet to find him still plopped in front of his computer- it was already 9 p.m. "The deadline just has to be tomorrow," he said, with no further explanation.
Initially I thought of him as a self-centered workaholic; however, a pattern soon developed: He never did anything half-heartedly. Once it was done, he mited that even if some project was done, it always turned out to be perfect-moving from details we consider minor all the way to mapping risk. Regardless of the bite from the team toward his dictatorial style, there was no denying that his work came out with shining qualities.
In closing, I have discovered two things:
Passionate devotion is time-bounded; devotion is a habit.
Professionalism is not a lack of emotional struggles; it is the ability to separate the professional from personal affairs.
At this moment, I'm the one who is constantly scheduling upcoming meetings and establishing deadlines for myself but applies the brakes on being a human - I don't want to become a machine like him.
Reflection: Hatred as a Mirror for Spiderfish
Why is it so difficult for us to accept fellow human beings' achievements? Maybe, in a benighted way, we don't like them because, in doing so, we do have to acknowledge they outclass us in some aspects. It's just like the broken mirror that reflects you, as one side shows you are weak, and the other side shows new life.
Lessons From Andre:
- Strong principles go along with empathy.
- Intelligent respect can only do good.
- Dedication becomes art if you just let it.
Discussion Invitation: Moving Into a New Leaf
Ever been forced to "note" the strengths of someone you do not like?
- Did that open up some new views on conflict or personal relationships?
- And by far, can hatred still give a push into growing up instead of spiraling deeper into poisoning oneself?
Let's talk about it! For this community can even chew vengeance as fertilizer for knowledge. 🌱
Thank you for taking your time to read the tale. However, I look forward to other great stories from you! ✨
Footnote:
If ever Andre reads this, though I do not hope so, he might deserve a cup of coffee, by way of reconciliation. For now, however, let these words, among other things, be a door to peace in my heart.😊
