I don’t remember the date. It’s not relevant either, but it was many years ago.
We were having coffee after a delicious dinner at “Rugantino,” an Italian restaurant in Madrid that holds many memories for me…
Then someone commented that the best thing in life was not to create enemies, in order to live peacefully.
After explaining their reasons – which, by the way, I found very respectable even though I didn’t agree with all their ideas – I briefly outlined that having enemies could also be a sign that things were going well for you in life…
He looked surprised and asked me to elaborate on that concept…
I started by telling him that for many years, I had been one of those trying to please everyone… 🙄
BIG MISTAKE.
Obviously, I didn’t take long to realize that it wasn’t the right path, and I continued to defend the idea that it was better not to seek out enemies, but if I had that kind of impact on others and someone started hating me, maybe it was because I was doing things right!
So, I explained to him in my own words these concepts that Baltasar Gracián brilliantly summarizes:
“It’s a sad thing not to have friends, but it must be even sadder not to have enemies.
Because someone without enemies is a sign that they have neither:
talent that casts a shadow, courage that others fear,
honor that others murmur about, wealth that others covet, nor anything good that others envy.”
Imagine the debate that arose from there! A fascinating conversation that lasted until we were asked to leave the restaurant because it was late and the waiters wanted to go home…
What do you think about it?
Until that moment, I had understood Paulo Coelho’s message well:
“Our enemies are not those who hate us but those whom we hate.”
Because when you have negative feelings towards something (resentment, hatred, or bitterness), it’s you who experiences the resentment… the other person is going about their life, while you poison yourself.
And you’re not doing yourself any favors by feeling all those harmful emotions. After all, the person you’re thinking about is probably enjoying a steak or having a drink on a terrace… happy as can be.
So I’m clear about it: I’m not going to seek out enemies just like that… it’s pointless and has no advantage. But if I had them or have them, it might have more to do with envy than anything else.
Meanwhile, I’ll keep writing because I finally have the privilege of spending my days doing things that I’m passionate about.
Maybe one day I’ll have a mailing list with several zeros, and that would be a reason to celebrate big time! 🍾🥂
That’s why, if you’re enjoying the content of these emails, share them with someone you know would enjoy them too, and that way, our Ohana community will grow…!
I’m sure you know someone who not only receives them in their inbox but also reads them 🤪 and you might just make it easier for them to find that unique and different gift they’ve been looking for.
Here we have no enemies. Only artisans who pour their soul into the pieces they create and satisfied customers.
Some are many, others are just a few.
But many come back.
The customers, I mean.
For some reason!
Hug,
Teresa 🌺
PS: Every day I find a source of inspiration to write and keep writing. I can’t stop!!! 🖥
PS 2: Writing puts me in touch with unconscious ideas to sort them out later. It helps me release painful thoughts, relive happy moments, and many other things. It’s therapeutic and very rewarding. And in my case, it has become something I do every morning at sunrise. I even feel like getting out of bed as soon as I wake up to start writing and pouring out all the ideas.
PS 3: If my enemies knew, they would die of envy.
PS 4: You’re in for a treat 😜
