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I hired a former convict who had just been released from prison a few months earlier.He came to my office early one morning for a job interview.He presented himself very formally and in professional clothing. All his body language was full of self-confidence.I didn’t know it at the time, but he was astonishingly astute and deceptive. I suppose these were essential skills needed to survive in prison.“Sir, I must be honest,” he started the conversation, “If your company requires a background check to get hired, I will fail.”“What do you mean?” I asked.“I’ve just been released from prison and I’m searching for someone who is willing to take a chance on me to help me reshape my life.”I stared at him speechless.He continued, “I’ve learned my lesson and I’m willing to give you everything I’ve got. If you give me this opportunity, you will have a loyal employee for life.”I was stunned by such statement.“Well, if you don’t mind me asking, why did you go to prison?” I asked cautiously.“I killed someone as a teenager. I was drunk. The accident happened. I never intended to kill that man, but I was sentenced to 20 years in prison.” He said.The conversation continued for a while. My mind and my heart went into a battle, “Stay away,” my mind said. “Changing people’s lives is more important than your business policies,” my heart replied.Long story short… I gave this man a chance.I ended up devastated.So, to answer your question, what is the most valuable skill a person could have?A heart of gratitude.When someone helps you, be grateful, not only by saying “thank you,” but prove it with your actions.I invested in this man’s life, not only with a job, but personally advising and coaching him to increase his value both for the company and to society. I helped him buy a car and offered unique opportunities inside the company.I was determined to help him turn his life around.How did he show his gratitude?He stole from my business.He mistreated my customers.He turned employees against me.He even tried to seduce my wife to sleep with him!This man’s life would have been transformed in a few years if he had been grateful instead of trying to “outsmart” me.Remember this:There’s nothing you can do to help those who don't want to help themselves.Please share if this was helpful :)

My other half is a smart man, usually, his intelligence was one of the the many things I have always loved about him. He is a paramedic, has seen what Covid has done to MN, our healthcare system is on its knees. He is high risk, but is called on calls that need an experienced hand to assist on calls (like transferring Covid patients, including the ones just placed on ECMO (heart/lung bypass)- only 50 percent survive the procedure (much less Covid)), and other critical care calls, the sickest of the sick (think mobile ICU) type calls, sees patients dying close up.About a year ago, I, never into politics, figured that I had better get educated before the election. He advised me which news orgs were least partisan, and I also verified this. He taught me to verify my news stories before talking about them. This whole year, he, an independent, is a mostly 2 issue voter, identifies as Libertarian, but we agree about most politics, or understand the others view on most issues. I am a Dem, but am a gun owner, he is pro-choice along with me. He got satellite radio a couple months back, and he changed a few weeks later (shortly before election), he started telling me crap he heard on Hannity by callers, or some other self proclaimed expert. He told me 3 “news stories” one day last week, I debunked ALL of them by looking them up and explaining, ending the discussion. We never fight, but this subject, telling me unverified news, we bickered over. I told him to stop bringing this crap into my life, reminded him how, per his request, how I fact check EVERYTHING, demanded he do the same. He was just repeating what he heard, unfiltered. Says Trump kept ALL of his campaign promises, so I asked where his tax records and health records were to which he replied, “By law he does not HAVE to release them.” “True,” I replied, “but he volunteered to release them, then did not, and Mexico did not pay for the wall, and only 5 new miles of wall have been built (the rest was just replaced existing wall), what about those campaign promises?”. Silence was my reply. He told me that Trump's tax cuts helped the economy, so I debunked that with online charts. Growth slowed after the cuts, rich folks kept the money, did not reinvest.I tell you the above to set the stage for his election response. At first, as the “red mirage” started, I was devastated, and he was kind, did not rub it in. But when it switched, he started talking about fraud, as Trump got more insistent about it. Despite him saying he reads more than right wing news, (somehow he missed major stories, for one, Trump saying repeatedly that if he wins, all was fine, if he lost, it was fraud- my guy did have the grace to snicker at that one), I slowly realized he never had current headlines (was no longer reading the news) since getting Patriot radio, which airs Sean Hannity, among others. I realized MAGAt"s really had a hold on him when he said that masks do not do much for the virus, said “studies pointed both ways" (again, he is in healthcare, on the front lines!!!!), WTF?!?!? I pointed out all the 'Pubs in congress and the WH vs the Dems that got the virus, and pointed out masks and social distancing were the ONLY difference. Dems get it too, but the numbers seem to be 10 to 1, but he could not explain that!He was not dropping the fraud thing, but did admit that it is less likely as time went on, and prez lost suit after suit, but thinks the affidavits might have some “secret info.” I reminded him that several election cases were dismissed after the judge saw the “proof”- found it lacking. He seems to be coming around, but it is taking time. I had to explain to him about the “info dump” that put Trump ahead, in MI, that all of the mail in votes were counted then reported at once (as planned in advance), and he stopped repeating that lie. Why did he not look that up? Now Venezuela and Dominion connections???My question is this, if an intelligent man, who sees what Covid is doing to our state can be taken in by Trump and his MAGAt's, is starting to become anti-mask, even, what chance do people who cannot think for themselves and have no healthcare experience have to get out of this conspiracy hole? Trump's 20k+ lies, “Not true!” he says. He denies any negative fact about Trump, or says, “Both sides do it!”- but he never thinks his side does wrong (where I fully admit that Dems have faults, even tell him about ones he did not hear about). My guy thinks Trump is not racist, even! Both media sides can be at fault, yes, (no one is perfect), but only one side is selling pure hate!Sorry this was not just about the election, but I have been alone in dealing with this, and it helps to say it out loud that I have seen a smart man fall for this, and worse, was changed by it.UPDATE:Despite his rooting for Trump, my guy loves me more than his love for Trump. He has begun to return to himself! Yay! We have always had just a few different views on politics, but we honestly do respect each other's beliefs (when based in truth).As more lawsuits have fallen, he has come to realize that there is no info to back up the election fraud argument, and my facts have broken through, maybe- as he is not repeating lies from the satellite call in shows anymore, he fact checks. Me explaining the latest right wing versions of events, then the facts before he hears them, helps, I think. He has re-emerged as himself! I think fear of the unknown with the election sent him to listening, then repeating repeating untruths, he believed them until challenged. Now, again, he has intelligent responses to my questions!! Knowledge really is power, people! He is lifting himself out of that echo chamber with knowledge. He is back to being pro mask (with proper distancing and use of hand washing/sanitizer is a must)- but he does note that improper mask usage can spread Covid (very true). His humanity is again intact.My partner of over 20 years is back after a short trip down the rabbit hole! Hooray! Thank you to each and every one of you for your support! I felt so alone, and you helped me out. HUGE THANKS!!!!

Learn to be happy alone. If you master this skill, trust me, nobody can take away your happiness from you. Be your own best friend, enjoy your own company, and be happy. If you master this skill, eventually you will start appreciating people in your life!Edit 1- Thank you for the warm support people :-D