Look for things to like about people--there’s usually something, some trait,Some aspect of them as people existing in this world that you can’t disallow,Something that resonates, that connects and has the power to create!Create what? Understanding at the very least if not friendship right now. [full text below] Ep. 426 - Like Happy We begin as always with the Happy Creed. We believe in Happy, in Balance and Growth, of being Mindful and Grateful,Compassionate and Understanding. YowzaHahaMy Happy Friends! I’m helpful, empathic, a real caretaker type--want to know why? Want to know how?I look for things to like about people--there’s usually something, some trait,Some aspect of them as people existing in this world that you can’t disallow,It’s something that resonates, that connects and has the power to create. Create what? A friendship!--a camaraderie. Now I’ve met people who seemed just awful,Like, why-would-you-want-to-subject-yourself-to-their-abuse kind of bad news,They’re hurtful and mean and seem to really enjoy being cruel and slightly unlawful,But they can also be really loyal to those whose company they choose. I met a guy at work once who everybody hated--he was bossy but had no authority,He didn’t outrank anyone, he just acted as if he did--so was routinely ignored,And the distaste for him wasn’t just from a few but from the vast majority,And so my challenge was to try to find some Happy detail just waiting to be explored. He tried bossing me around too, but I simply kept talking to him instead,I’d talk about TV shows and movies and stuff and he’d stop and look at me weird,Then he’d ask me what I was doing, and I’d say that he seemed to be very well-read,And that I always appreciated intelligent conversation--at which he scoffed and sneered. But still I kept talking to him about topics I enjoyed, like books, food and music too,Then I suggested we go to a movie and get something to eat and he looked worried,“I’m not trying to hit on you,” I assured him. “A good movie discussion, me and you.”And so we went! And outside of work he was way more chill and completely unhurried. We became friends and he mellowed at work too. People didn’t hate him quite so much.He had a lot of knowledge about film and could be very generous with what he knew,But he was also embarrassed about his inexperience in the social scene and such,So, I invited him to parties and get-togethers, but he simply didn’t know what to do. He rubbed people the wrong way due to his extremely awkward and arrogant vibe,So, I didn’t try to force him to make friends with everybody and I let him just be,And we were like brothers for years, he was a cameraman and I was a scribe,We swore we’d make movies together that the whole world would be dying to see. And then there came a girl that I liked and I told him about her, wanting to share,But, you see, he decided that he liked her too and felt he was far more deserving than me,So, when I told him how my courtship was going he pretended like he didn’t care,When all the while he was plotting to steal her heart away as if by divine decree. And he used all the inside scoop that I had been feeding him to turn her head,He knew everything she liked, but what he didn’t know was what she hated,And chief among those things was liars and so she felt sorely misled,She pulled away and he tried to cling, but her feelings had long since vacated. He didn’t like her, you see. He merely wanted her, and that’s not the same thing,You have to find something to relate to about someone even something small,But he never allowed himself to feel for others. He hurt her and me--a real ding-a-ling,I avoid him now--for safety--but I did like our discussions before he went AWOL. I’m a bit more careful about who I try to find likable things about, but I still try,Finding a friend where no one else bothered looking can be its own reward,Sometimes I even turn those powers upon myself if I think I’m being a mean guy,And could maybe use a fri