The good vs the bad...

Nearly 4 years ago, I heeded a call, and proceeded to provide pro bono services on a weekly basis.

The difference between others and me? I empathize my customers and try my best to help them, by asking for mitigating details that would get them off the hook. Most of the time, the convicted cooperates, and I get to help them. Occasionally, like last night, the convicted gets defensive. In this case, he has already provided his own explanation, and the explanation was rejected, and he was convicted. So, he turned to us and when his turn came, he was assigned to me. I listened to his explanation and read what was provided. 

Presently, I asked...

"Would you please tell me why you ignored these notices?"

And the convicted replied:

"I don't like the tone of your voice."

And it goes downhill for the convicted from there. I asked the convicted to take a seat, and wait for someone else (what's implied is: someone else whose tone he likes).

I think my colleague just go through the motions, and provides his services perfunctorily.

At the end of the session, my colleague advised me to talk to the convicted in a much friendlier way, a way which I deem condescending, something like below:

"So... friend, why you ignore these notices?"

If I believed in going through motions, I wouldn't be providing my services weekly. Indeed, this particular case from last night made me think about walking away permanently and focus on wealth creation instead.

It is not who I am that defines me, it is what I choose to do that defines who I am.