Tycoon-ism: ” You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair.” – Chinese proverb
After a famous psychiatrist finished giving a lecture, he was approached by a man and asked him what would he advise a person if that person starts to have a nervous breakdown. To many they would have expected him to advise the man to consult a psychiatrist like himself. Surprisingly, the famous psychiatrist told the man that the moment he starts to have an episode of nervous breakdown, he should immediately leave his house, go across the railway tracks, find someone in need and do something that will help that person.
The reason why so many of us have illnesses of the mind is that we often focus on ourselves so much so that we lose our connection with other people around us. By putting the interest others above our own, we put ourselves in a position of seeing our problems in relation to others’. This is so important in that we become more aware that as much as our problems may seem insurmountable, when compared to the problems of the people around us, it becomes a hill compared to a mountain and it becomes easier to conquer. What’s more, sometimes, it is easier to help others than to help ourselves. And when we are so busy helping, our problems may disappear in the process without taking prescription drugs.
Being in the customer relations of any industry is always one the most challenging jobs there is in terms of human interaction. Here are customers who are mainly dissatisfied with your product with numerous complaints and your job is to appease at least most of them. They want their problems solved immediately and they don’t want to wait as this part of their purchase is not part of their tight schedule. There was a newly hired clerk to handle the complaints section of a large mall and at his first week the stress of the job already showed on his face. At first he tried courtesy, but courtesy lasts only as your patience. He tried fighting back but, who is he kidding? Customers are king. He tried indifference, but how can you ignore harsh words so easily? And so he resolved to quit the next day. Over dinner at a restaurant he heard a boy complain to his dad about how rude his classmate was. The father listened intently then gently told his son how his classmate’s parents were in the process of divorce. Finally the father said, “be kind with Bill, son, he’s fighting a tough battle right now.” That last statement made the clerk think about his situation and he realized that he had tried everything except kindness. The next morning he smiled more and greeted his customers. He got to know more about them as people and at the end of the day, he made two new friends and he couldn’t wait to meet new friends the next day.
We all had to stumble every now and then. That’s life. We had no choice but to get up and walk the beaten path of life. But whenever you find yourself amidst an ordeal it is always good to keep a sharp eye out for tidbits of wisdom along the way. As truthful as this is, it is somewhat impossible to open ones’ eyes when blinded by sorrow. Often it is easier to let go and be numb. It is your body’s defense, as time once again becomes your ally and helps you forget the pain, but, it is better to never let go of the lesson. As the saying goes “travel makes you broad, pain makes you deep”. For it is always on the rough roads, when you see the earth cracked and where the ground is unsure and unstable and course that you see the foundation used to build them; so it is the same with your troubles that you get a glimpse of life’s building blocks.
