There’s a woman at my job who’s office is the most peaceful, Zen like place you would ever imagine to find in a building that makes any US Post Office look like The Delano Hotel. Naturally, I was attracted to enter and compliment on her dimly lit, Dalai Lama poster hanging, bamboo growing, space thinking she was also a calm, compassionate and chill person. That was when I first started working there, turns out the office decor is only an illusion. I guess this is the way this woman would like to be, on the inside, because sadly, she is one of the least peaceful people I have ever worked with.
“We're born alone, we live alone, we die alone. Only through our love and friendship can we create the illusion for the moment that we're not alone.” - Orson Welles
Blame it on the solar eclipse or what but the curtains are being drawn and the veil lifted thus the illusions are being exposed. I believe we all try to put forth our best, do our best and be our best, especially when we are around other people. Sadly, as well, we’re not always that way with those who we love they get stuck dealing with the less peaceful parts of us- the illusion of that all loving person you went to bed with might wake up looking and acting like Medusa in the morning. We all have our good and bad days but what does it mean when people create illusions that are so far from who they really are as humans?
I recently made an art purchase I was very excited about because I had seen and loved the piece months before but was unable to afford to buy it and when I saw it again recently as part of an “art show” the only words out of my mouth to the artist were, “that’s mine.” I was so excited and proud of myself for now being able to make the purchase. Unfortunately, for me the transaction came with some conditions that neither the artist nor I were aware of and when I took the piece home after several weeks of being on display, as per the artist instructions, the owner of the venue where I found the artist and piece again i.e. NOT AN ART GALLERY became very upset when I refused to bring it back for the remaining 5 days of the “art show.” And thus I was banned, ex-communicated, asked not to return ever by the owner in not such a nice manner. I refuse to go where I’m not welcomed but the saddest part of all of that mess was that I had been visiting that venue almost daily for several months and have even blogged about how special and magical the location was. Can you say retraction?
WRONG-O! Another illusion dispersed right before my eyes. How is it possible for these seemingly normal people to put forth and build around them facades which evoke peace and love when in reality there is only anger, resentment, envy, jealousy and hate inside of them which they freely share with those around them? I feel so sorry for the woman at work because she might get a “good morning” with a smile but its all the nasty things being said about her behind her back which make me feel bad for her. I also feel sorry for the owner of the establishment I used to frequent. The good vibes and people which started the business off and kept regulars spending serious money and coming back night after night, like myself, have all but been lost because of the ill manners the owner demonstrates again and again. I really shouldn’t be surprised at how I was spoken to - I’ve seen how poorly he treats his lovely girlfriend but when you treat paying customers so poorly unless your business is a front for some illegal doings you’re not going to stay in business for long and it doesn’t take a business degree from Harvard to figure that one out.
