The Black Mark

If you, like 99% of the people noticed the black mark on the white frame and wondered about its presence, then this is certainly a read worth it. It is not surprising that most of us notice the black mark- it is human tendency to identify the contrasting component first. However, this concept of labelling this observation as 'human tendency' has more that what meets the eye when translated to our daily lives. 

What instigated me to write this was a recent event at office. On Wednesday and Friday last week, I received two appreciations from a client manager. No one batted an eye- things went on like always. But later in the day on Friday, one of the other client managers (from the UK, yes, they are quite disturbingly fussy about every little thing- not that I am trying to vindicate myself) raised a concern with something I had done- something for which I did not have the authority to. 

Two minutes after the irritatingly long e-mail complaining about my actions was received, I was summoned by my manager for a prep talk. I will refrain from commenting on my manager's action and words (mostly because she is bound to do what she did- that's the way IT works) but I had only one line to say- 'But I received two appreciations in the last three days- you did not even comment on that.'

The black dot prevailed over the white wall- yet again. On a more broader perspective, we, in this 21st century have stopped appreciating what we have and what has happened in contrast to what we don't and what has not. We've forgotten to thank, to apologise, to show gratitude and to exhibit kindness. The pace at which we are moving has made it impossible to.

The security guard who opened the door deserves our thanks. The housekeeper who just fixed us a table in the crowded cafeteria needs to be thanked, so does the sandwich guy and the lift man- everybody do. How long and what loss would we incur saying a few kind words?

Organisations and its caveats are always based on zero -tolerance, something that I will never approve of. They work on the basis of revenue generated per resource (I will not use the word 'person' or 'employee' as it becomes personal; these corporate only see us as revenue generating robotic cogs in their wheel of money making) and in such a set-up, being thankful does not exist. The wage they pay us is their form of thanks- an inferior and distressing way of recognising our work. Having said all that, I am not here to talk about what better corporate can do but how we imbibe the work culture into our lives and how harmful it becomes to the society.

It takes a special person to recognise the good in every man. Let us try to be one. All that even the worst of people in this world need is love and recognition. Let us begin to appreciate what we have in life. Let us appreciate the colours of nature, the taste of food, the love we get from our closest. Let us also take time to appreciate every single person who makes our lives better. Let us appreciate life.