Have you ever been around a person who was so miserable  being alive that he worked hard at making others miserable and uncomfortable?  The first job which I had was with a major oil company and I worked with a man named Paul.  Paul was well-built and a handsome person.  He was married, had a lovely wife, and had two children.  He was a very nice person; but, something was just not right about his view of life.  He was well-respected and a good worker; but, he had one quirk which was his reflection of life.  Upon arrival at work, I would great him with a “good morning, Paul.”  His response was, “I don’t know what is so good about it.”  My reply always was,  “well, you woke up,  didn’t you?”  He would never reply.  So, each morning we went through this same exercise with a polite “good morning” and his usual answer.  Months later, he came into my office, sat down, and looked at me very intent and said, “May I ask a personal question.”  I said sure – ” I have watched you and there is no way on earth that you can get up every day and have the pleasant attitude that you bring to work.”  I replied to him,  “Paul, God gives you only one day at a time so I try to please  him by letting him know that I am happy here on earth and hope that he gives me another day.”  He slowly got up from the chair and walked out – never saying a word.  Sadly, weeks later Paul went home for lunch one day, ate lunch, took a nap and never woke  up.  It was a pleasure knowing him and his family; but, knowing him was special because it does prove that some people have a difficult time walking through life.

kommonsentsjane