Signs of a Struggle

A couple of days ago whilst at work I went to buy lunch from a nearby burger van. Whilst waiting to be served I got 'talking' to someone based in the same building. She was being critical of a new employee who has quickly gained the reputation of being generally incompetent requiring too much hand-holding and having poor people skills. I understood where she was coming from. I was listening as she went on at length about the guy and how useless he was. I could sense myself awakening, I recognized the event and really didn't want to participate, it was dirty and I didn't want it touching me. So I kept silent, awake to the event and my surroundings. And she continued talking. It was an interesting moment. I could sense the nature of the struggle unfolding. As she spoke I gave her my attention. I could see she had become quite uncomfortable. She was aware that something unseen had changed. She had initiated this 'conversation' quite voluntarily and with a certain confidence that was now dissolving. I felt great pity, not in a condescending manner, I genuinely felt sorry for her - I was making her uncomfortable, I could feel it acutely, her discomfort. This event in real time was a matter of seconds perhaps but it may have lasted forever, or at least like a slow motion accident. I wanted to take away her suffering and in the moment there seemed only one option. So I joined in the conversation, sharing personal anecdotal stories that confirmed much of what she had been saying. And then I slowly slid back into a sleeping state. And, I assume, because I can no longer say with any certainty, that she relaxed with me. Later, on reflection, I found this event of particular interest. How the world draws us down in to these events. The challenges on the way. The micro-events that take on a vast significance when one is conscious of the battle. It was really a moment for new thinking, an opportunity to grasp a common predicament, it was an opportunity to create something new. I felt sorry for her and made a bad decision that did neither of us any good.