YOU is Not-Equal to I (NaBloPoMo Day 4)

Last week, in front of many CEOs, a wise friend said, “One mistake many people make is to think YOU as an extension of I. You should like what I like, behave the way I behave, and believe what I believe. That is far from the truth. YOU, actually, is a totally separated individual. YOU has his own thinking, his own personality, even his own look. I should let YOU to be YOU and respect YOU as YOU, not treating YOU like an extension of I.”

He gave us an example. A man has built up his company from nothing. All these years, he goes to work early and comes home late. He seldom takes time off from work, and has missed many of his kids’ school events, if not all. When he hires an employee, he expects the employee to work as hard as he is. “I have given my life to this company. I expect my employee love this company as much as I do and work as hard as I do. I treat my employee as another me.”

But the employee thinks differently. “Feeding my family is the reason for me to take this job. I am hired as a worker and I’ll work as much as you have paid me for. Family time is important for me. Nothing can take my family time away! Besides, this company is your baby, not mine.”

My friend concluded, “Remember, YOU is not equal to I.”

* * *
My friend’s words brought back a lot of memories. I heard my voice saying: “This dish is still dirty. Why can’t you wash dishes like I do?”, “I always turn the light off when I leave a room. Why can’t you do the same?”, “I’ve kept your secret, why can’t you keep mine?”… The voice kept going on.

In my recent comment to Y, I asked, “Why can’t others treat us like the way we treat them?” I know the answer now, Y.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

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About Helen C

A retired computer programmer who loves writing and photographing, and has managed to publish a YA novel "Jin-Ling’s Two Left".
This entry was posted in photo, Street Photographing, Writing and tagged , . Bookmark the permalink.

21 Responses to YOU is Not-Equal to I (NaBloPoMo Day 4)

  1. loisajay says:

    Oh, Helen….this is a good one. Last year when I was in the hospital so much, my husband took over some the chores I always did, like vacuuming, washing the floors and washing the dishes. I used to say the same as you–“That’s not how I do it.” But then I stopped. He was getting everything clean. Just not my way. I don’t say a word now. Two different way=same results. Thank you for this.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Amy says:

    A good story, Helen. It reminds me a boss I used to work for. Another boss who was opposite, then people didn’t think he had leadership and tried to take advantage… 🙂
    Thank you for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Rupali says:

    Helen. I love this.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Joanne Sisco says:

    A great story, Helen. It reminds me of something my husband said to me years ago when I ‘corrected’ him on something he was doing differently from me. He said ‘just because it’s different, doesn’t make it wrong’. It’s stuck with me ever since.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Lady Oscar says:

    A nice reminder to a “teacher!”
    We should always remember that we, they, everybody are all human beings. everybody needs to be treated nicely…

    Liked by 1 person

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