Most Lessons in Life Are Bitter Pills to Swallow
Posted on Monday, 3 November 2014
Most
Lessons in Life
Are
Bitter Pills To Swallow
By Apolinario Villalobos
It is a fact that some people who committed
blunders, cannot take advices, suggestions, and reprimands with open mind and
open heart, although, the mentioned tools have only one thing as objective –
improvement in performance and attitude. Pride, sadly stand in the way. Add to
that the deeply-rooted attitude which for long has not been given attention by
affected parties. It takes a strong-spirited person or persons to call the attention
of the blunderer that he or she is out of tune, not in harmony with the
acceptable universal norms.
Understandably, the resulting lessons from
the mentioned tools, are bitter pills to swallow. But, then, there could have
been no blunder committed if only the blunderer did the right thing. That is
why, we always go back to the adage: regrets always come at the end.
There is a universal practice to give the
blunderer a second chance and even a third chance, all founded on the benefit
of the doubt. But if the blunder has been committed for the fourth time, which
is a clear indication of defiance, there is no reason why appropriate action be
done, that could result to lessons, albeit, bitter to the taste.
Everybody has a blind spot and, this fact
goes with the saying that unless we use a mirror, we cannot see our face. Only
other people can tell us what our blind spots are. For the open-minded, this is
fine, but for the proud, telling him or her about the negatives, is a no-no.
The problem is that, his or her negatives affect others. And it takes a
surprising instance most often, for another person, not even an acquaintance,
sometimes to serve as the “big brother” or the “big sister” who calls the
attention of the proud guy with an attitude.
In offices, the unbecoming attitude of
inconsiderate employees has become a nagging problem to superiors. There are
employees who just refuse to accept their mistakes despite mind-opening
reprimands. Of course, there are ultimate penalties which could be suspension or
termination, but for humanitarian reason, most offices are soft about them –
avoiding their implementation as much as possible. If indeed, erring employees
are slapped with them, the lessons they learned become bitter pills to swallow.
Among friends, there is always one or two
that do not jive with the rest when it comes to attitude. Some friends abuse
the trust and confidence given to them by their buddies. When finally, some of
them could not take the contempt anymore, confrontation ensues with the barrage
of truth coming out – hurting realization that indeed abuse has been committed.
Of course, as friends, ill feelings may be considered as part of the past…water
under the bridge. But a slight crack of distrust stays, difficult to amend.
Discussion