The word “enemy” is quite harsh, isn’t it?
I’ve been struggling with this challenge, not because of a lack of ideas, but because I’m not comfortable with publicly declaring that someone is my enemy.
According to thefreedictionary.com however, an enemy isn’t necessarily someone that you want to do harm to (as states the primary definition), but can also be something destructive or injurious in its effects. This last one definitely applies to me.
(I’m also thinking that “enemy” could be defined as “anyone I would cross the street to avoid walking by,” which would also apply here).
Now, at my last job, there was a certain individual who, without intending to (I hope), made the last year and a half quite painful for me. From daily cold shoulders and insensitivities to complete mutilation on peer reviews, this person has done me no favours, and has had me crying many-a-night. And while she seemed as shocked as the rest of us when I lost my job, I truly believe that I wouldn’t be unemployed had it not been for her negative opinions of me to our shared supervisor.
That said, I don’t want to seek revenge. I don’t wish to rain down curses upon her brow. If anything, I hope that she doesn’t stay in such a toxic work environment much longer (she may have actually done me a favour, in the long run).
Still, when I think of someone that has been destructive or injurious in his or her effects, she comes to mind. And I would certainly cross the street.
I chose her name in the Christmas gift exchange at work. Others have told me to simply return the gift and pocket the money, or put it towards a charity. But she wanted this for Christmas, and this is tangible. And given her continual joking/sining about wanting a hippopotamus for Christmas, I’d say that the hand-drawn hippo on the packaging is love.
Jennifer
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heathercrobertson
sarajane
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