Broken plates

My friend Joy told me a great story. She works as a cook in a home for
persons who are developmentally challenged. She said that the other
day, one of the gentlemen was bringing his plate back to the kitchen
and dropped it on the ground; smashing it. He started crying and
berrating himself for being clumsy and stupid and never being good at
anything, always messing up, etc. Joy kept trying to tell him that it
wasn't a big deal, but he kept crying.

So, when he was looking the other way, Joy took the 3 plates that were
in her hand, and smashed them on the ground. The man turned around and
was shocked. She said, "see, it can happen to anyone." His tears
turned into a big smile, and he kept saying, "this happened to you
too, oh that makes me feel so much better, etc." Even the next day he
was telling her what a difference that made to her.

By the way, her boss did come in and ask what was happening with all
the crashing. She took him aside and explained the situation. He told
her she did the right thing and offered her a counselling position.
Postmodern social work - I love it!