#bye fred

A new beginning. A new chapter, maybe chapters, to add to my book entitled My life-A Marie-Claude Anoh autobiography. I embraced this particular new beginning with vast excitement, as it was a venture that I hoped would aid me in developing a stronger character along with challenging moments. A new job, one that I knew I would be great at, one that would utilize my skills appropriately. A new beginning is something I look forwarded to.

Now, what happens when this new beginning commences well but eventually the veil of perfectness that was observed on the first few days, is lifted? How do you handle feeling lost in this new venture? How do you handle working with a colleague who aggrandizes himself, while others add fuel to his fire? How do you work alongside said colleague, who goes about with a fraudulent sincerity, attempts to act as your superior and shoots down your abilities? How do you go about speaking with said colleague who speaks to you only when he needs something but in other moments, acts as though you are an irrelevant, not present, being? How?! Relax, take a breath, and step back.

Never in a million years had it dawned on me that the most challenging aspect of my job would be a colleague. A colleague who appears to be filled with insecurities, which he tends to transfer upon me. Being the most prevalent challenge at this particular moment, it is one that I have reflected on, on various occasions. At the onset, I gave my colleague small insights into his behavior but this seemed to be done in vain. Others depend on him and constantly praise him. These people don’t work with him as closely as I do. His every day demeanor has caused me to doubt my position at the company and want to terminate my contract. As I am not a quitter, another thought crept into my mind. Relax, take a breath, and step back.

Maybe he has some internal demons which are manifesting themselves into a poisonous gas, and seeping into my skin. It could be that he feels threatened by me, for some reason. Whatever the case is, I wanted a challenge, and here it is. Quitting not being an option, I have decided to leave my ego at the door every morning, dedicated one hundred percent and more to my duties, and be more patient with my colleague. Relax, take a breath, and step back.