Image Source: Hiking Artist
Our dining table was getting old, so my wife went and bought a new dining table. It was very nice. It had a very shiny, glossy surface and I would get immense pleasure just by looking at it.
Now, you see, I am a positive person. I appreciate nice things. So it was but natural for me to thank my wife every day for bringing in such a beautiful item to our house every time I saw the table.
A few days passed, and one day I noticed that the table was covered with a table cloth. My wife explained that she did not want the table to get dirty and so she bought the new table cloth. It was hand-made, with a very artistic embroidery design and I just plain enjoyed watching it
Now, you know, I am a positive person. I appreciate nice things. So it was but natural that I agreed and also complimented her on the choice of the table cloth and told it to her every time I saw it. She enjoyed the compliments, which made me even happier.
Now, you see, I am a positive person. I appreciate nice things.
A few more days passed, and I noticed that our new table cloth was covered with a clear plastic sheet. My wife explained that we were using our dining table to sort fresh vegetables and the table cloth would have gotten dirty. To protect it, she bought the plastic cover. The plastic cover idea was good. It had designs of its own. I was able to see the original table cloth design and it would be protected too. What more can anyone ask for!
By now, you know that I am a positive person, I appreciate good things. So it was but natural that I complimented her every time I saw it. She enjoyed the compliments which made me even happier.
A few more days passed, and I noticed that my wife had arranged some very nice placemats on the plastic cover. She explained that she did not want the plastic cover to get dirty when we put our hands on the table while eating. So to protect the plastic cover she had bought these placemats. The placemats were good. They have very nice scenes printed on them and were very pleasing.
By now, I am sure that you know I am a positive person. I appreciate good things. So it was but natural that I complimented her every time I saw the scenic placemats. And she enjoyed the compliments which made me even happier.
Watch out Sushil. If you appreciate these paper plates it will not be long before these paper plates are protected by wax paper or old newspaper. And you definitely do NOT want that.
Few more days passed and I noticed our china plates were replaced by paper plates for eating dinner. My wife explained that china plates were heavy and were leaving marks on the placemats. She did not want the placemats to get spoiled. After all, I enjoyed watching them so much. The paper plates are nice and thick. They have very nice designs and I liked the idea of protecting the scenic placemats.
By now, I am absolutely sure that you know I am a positive person. I appreciate good things. So it was but natural that I wanted to compliment my wife for her great idea. But something inside me SCREAMED, “Watch out Sushil. If you appreciate these paper plates it will not be long before these paper plates are protected by wax paper or old newspaper. And you definitely do NOT want that.” So I just nodded in amazement. I did NOT compliment her and did not praise her. I just sat there, silently, pondering over what had happened over the last few days.
No more admiring the table top, no more admiring the table cover, no more appreciating the plastic cover, no more complimenting the placemats and definitely never ever appreciating the paper plates. This is where the buck stops.
But you see I am still a positive person, I still appreciate things. But now, I also think before I appreciate, before I speak.
