Who’s right, who’s not, and when?

Here’s a joke a friend had forwarded some time back. While I found it extremely hilarious at the time, and still do, I just realized a thing or two that we could learn from it, based on my dealings with some people I’ve had the (mis)fortune of interacting with in the past.

You go ahead and enjoy the joke; I’ll get into more detail after the joke.

Best Divorce Letter.!

Dear hubby,

I’m writing this letter to tell you that I’m leaving you for good. I’ve been a good wife to you for 7 years n I have nothing to show for it. The last two weeks have been hell. Your boss called to tell me that you’ve quit your job today & that was the last straw. Last week, you came home n didn’t even notice I had a new haircut, cooked your favorite meal n even wore a new silk dress. You ate in 2 mins, n went straight to sleep after watching all of your games. You don’t tell me you love me anymore, you don’t want anything that connects us as husband and wife. Either you’re cheating on me or you don’t love me anymore. Whatever the case, I’m gone. Don’t try to find me. Your brother and I are moving to Paris together. Have a great life.!

Dear ex-wife,

Nothing has made my day more than receiving your letter. It’s true you and I have been married for 7 years, although a good wife is a far cry from what you’ve been. I watch my games so much because they drown out your constant nagging. I did notice your new haircut last week, but the first thing that came to mind was ‘you look just like a boy’. Since my mother raised me not to say anything if you can’t say something nice, I did not comment. And when you cooked my favorite meal, you must have gotten me confused with my brother, because I stopped eating pork years ago. About that new silk dress, I turned away from you because the $49 price tag was still on it, and I prayed it was a coincidence that my brother had just borrowed $50 from me that morning. After all this, I still loved you and felt we could work it out. So when I hit the lotto for $10 million, I quit my job and bought us 2 tickets to Jamaica. But when I got home, you were gone. Everything happens for a reason. I hope you have the fulfilling life you always wanted. My lawyer said that the letter you wrote ensures you won’t get a dime from me. So take care. Signed, your ex-husband, rich as hell and free.!

P.S.: I don’t know if I ever told you this, but my brother Carl was born as Carla (a woman). I hope that’s not a problem  😀

Now, just like the wife in the joke, you will sometimes have to deal with people who, despite being in the wrong, will convincingly accuse you, to the point where you will start to question your actions or intentions, feel guilty even.

As Rudyard Kipling rightly warned us, “If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken, twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools.” As distressing as that can be, it is also calming to know and rather interesting to see how, given enough time, things go full circle and bring you back to the pinnacle of the situation. Only this time, the basis of your actions and intentions will be proven right and acknowledged, thus renewing your faith in your actions and intentions.

So, essentially it’s all about doing the right thing, at whatever cost, and having the patience to wait for when you can sit back and enjoy the moment when time proves you right.