I've moved up the ladder. Climbed, up, up, up. There's a new dynamic here. I wonder what's going on. I wonder, am I the only one who sees that some things here don't make sense? I have a coworker, who didn't get the job I got, who is a thorn in my side. Just one example of the lunacy: she has a Christmas bear that sings "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" when she squeezes its paw. I hear high-pitched Christmas music at odd times in the office coming from this bear. I fantasize about setting it on fire. Politics and interpersonal conflict rule business decisions here at the top. I'm not kidding.
The Old Man has strengths opposite from mine. He takes nothing personally, he assumes the best of everyone, and he doesn't obsess over crazy coworkers. He gave me a metaphor.
"Yes, you're in a circus. Don't be one of the clowns. Be something cool like a trapeze artist. Your boss is the ring master with the crazy hat. Christmas bear lady is a seal with a ball balanced on her nose. Be part of the circus - you have to. Just be something cool."
The circus metaphor is all I've got right now. My instinct is to forcefully and with great venom wall myself off from the craziness.
"Wish me luck having patience and being nice all day tomorrow," I told The Old Man.
"All day?" he said. "I don't think you can do it."
He knows me too well.
Love the Old Man's perspective. I've often thought that work and "Survivor" aren't too different. Proud of you and what you are doing. And no one would blame you about the bear.
ReplyDeleteYou have a wise husband.
ReplyDeleteAnd take heart, Christmas is almost over and the bear will go back into its box until---GAAAA! next year.