Another week, another blog post! I’ve been reflecting on my time at Sevita-California Mentor, and honestly, I didn’t think they would fire me. Leaving a client unattended in a shower chair is a common oversight, highlighting the challenges faced within the organization. In jobs, "The Chosen" often endure harsh treatment until they eventually quit, and nobody truly likes them. Those of us deemed “The Chosen” are viewed as competitors rather than colleagues, making us feel like the enemy. It’s unfortunate that, despite being good people, “The Chosen” seem to be disliked by many. Most of us are good-looking, and as a result, we are often stereotyped and treated poorly because of our appearance. Ironically, to look good, you can’t obsess over it; when you adopt this mindset, you often develop that elusive “It” factor that attracts attention—both positive and negative. For example, today at Starbucks, the owner glared at me because she wanted me to put my feet in my slippers, even though I was already wearing clean socks. She refused to accept that! She apparently acknowledges that I look good, attributing it to the inner work that someone like me does—work that she herself, as the owner of Starbucks, likely doesn’t engage in. Many people mistakenly believe that looking good is an innate trait, but it actually requires effort. I often experience poor treatment because of my appearance, yet it feels unfair to bear the responsibility for others’ reactions. My critics don’t put in as much effort as I do to look good, which combines both inner and outer work. I wonder what my former coworkers think now that I’ve been away for three weeks. Do they think "good riddance"? Do they not care at all? Or do they blame Kari for getting me fired, generating resentment towards her? Based on the business texts I received from work, it seems like it’s business as usual. I don’t believe they are concerned about me. All the friendships I thought I had built there were superficial. None of them genuinely cared whether I lived or died. I find this realization sad because I thought I had found a home, friends, or even a work family. I often feel this way when I secure a role that requires significant communication, yet I realize that there may be a lack of true personal connection from others. Being “Chosen” once again reveals that acceptance often hinges on aligning with the mental level of others or appearing non-threatening. Due to internal conflicts among colleagues, a Chosen person is frequently seen as a competitor. When a Chosen works with someone, that individual may feel insecure simply because they view “The Chosen” as a “better person.” It’s sad how people treat me, how they treat a Chosen one. It’s disheartening. Mahalo!