Just Like You

Sometimes I'd ask myself, "Am I really that bad? Is my attitude really that worse?" Then at the back of my mind, something will say, "No, you're not. You're not bad, Phoebe. You just have those bad days just like the other people around. You just need a little appreciation, that's all."

Correct me if I'm wrong, but is asking for a little appreciation means that you're being too demanding? Or, is it really wrong to say what you truly feel and be regarded as a person with negative attitude just because you opened up or just because you go overboard saying things which are not supposed to be said?

Lots of questions are running through my mind right now. And while seeking for answers, I remember this letter given to us during our Leadership Training program two months ago. When I read it over again, I couldn't help but relate it to the situation I am in right now, so I did a little revision just to make it appropriate for me. Here it goes:


Dear Husband,

You see me everyday...with many faces...
In many tasks...as a mom, a friend, a daughter, and a boss...
But above all, I am your wife.

More than a wife, I am your partner,
Your other half, your bestfriend
And though I play different roles,
I try to be the best in everything I do
Just like you.

But lately, I'm wondering
Why you keep telling me that I never change?
Do you really see only the worse in me?
Why can't you see the nice things that I do?
Just like you, I have a good side too.

If I complain about a petty thing,
Maybe I am saying more than what you can hear
That I am a human being with feelings.
And just like you,
I want attention too.

I'll accept criticism when I've done wrong,
But how I wish you would praise me
When I have done right.
I am just like you,
I like compliments too.

When I emphasize a point that seems unimportant,
Maybe what I am really saying
Is that I consider my opinion important.
And I am just like you,
I want someone to listen to me too.

And when you share to me something,
Whether it's the song you like,
Or the great TV show or movie that you've seen
I go out of my way to listen and watch them too
So you'll feel appreciated
Now, I'm just like you
I want to feel appreciated too.

Some days you smile and some days you frown.
And I understand;
Your life is full of good days and bad days.
Do you understand I have good and bad days too?
I am just like you.

And when I complain about this or that,
Please don't repeat to me that I should change my attitude.
Haven't you ever complained before?
I am just like you,
I need to let off steam too.

And if I don't talk to you after an argument,
Don't think that I don't want you around,
Or that I don't want to humble down.
Please don't start a conversation which will just make things worse
I am just like you
I want to cool down first before I talk to you.

If this letter sounds like I placed all the blame on you,
Then I've failed to say what I mean.
I just wanted to tell you,
From my point of view,
All in all, I am just like you.


Your wife