In our daily life, we encounter people who are angry, deceitful

The rain fell heavily against the windows, each droplet a soft percussion on the glass. The darkness of the evening had already begun to swallow the light of the day, and the dimly lit café felt like an island in the middle of a storm. Jack sat at a corner table, his elbows resting on the wooden surface, his eyes tired, as if the weight of the world had settled upon his shoulders. Jeeny sat across from him, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of her coffee cup, her expression distant but thoughtful. The air between them was thick, heavy with unspoken words.

Host: The soft hum of conversation and clinking cups surrounded them, but in their small corner of the café, it was just the two of them, their thoughts swirling as the world outside raged on. There was an unsettling tension — the quiet before a storm, not in the weather, but in their hearts.

Jeeny: “I keep thinking about what Margaret J. Wheatley said. ‘In our daily life, we encounter people who are angry, deceitful, intent only on satisfying their own needs. There is so much anger, distrust, greed, and pettiness that we are losing our capacity to work well together.’ Do you think she’s right, Jack? Is that what’s happening?”

Jack: His gaze lifted to meet hers, his voice low, almost weary. “I think she’s more than right, Jeeny. Look at the world around us — people are pushing for their own agendas, ignoring everyone else. Self-interest is the rule now. We can’t even agree on the basics. It’s all about getting ahead, no matter who gets left behind.”

Jeeny: She tilted her head slightly, her eyes soft but probing. “But does it have to be that way? Can’t we find a way to work together? I mean, isn’t there some way to break the cycle? I know it’s hard, but maybe if we focused more on the common good than just the individual…”

Jack: He leaned back in his chair, shaking his head, his expression hardening. “You’re still holding on to this idea that people can change, that we can somehow unite under one cause. But you’ve seen it, haven’t you? Look at how much we’ve compromised, how many sacrifices we’ve made just to make things easier for a few people at the top. The system isn’t designed to encourage cooperation. It’s built on competition. And it’s working for those who run it.”

Jeeny: Her voice was almost a whisper, but it cut through the noise of his words. “Then what’s the point, Jack? If we give up on the possibility of cooperation, on the belief that we can work together, then what’s left? A world full of people fighting for scraps? I can’t believe that’s all we are.”

Jack: He exhaled slowly, his gaze drifting to the window, watching the rain pour down. “You’re right, I’ve seen the fights, the selfishness, the way people will do anything to get ahead. But I’m also tired of hearing about how we can just come together and fix things. It’s not that simple. Every time someone tries to unite people, there’s always someone who stands in the way. The system doesn’t want it. Power doesn’t want it. The moment we start working together, someone will pull the rug out from under us.”

Jeeny: Her hands were trembling slightly as she placed her coffee cup back on the table. “But that’s the point, Jack. We can’t let them control us, dictate how we interact with one another. If we keep letting fear and anger take the lead, we’ll never get anywhere. Yes, it’s hard, and yes, it feels like we’re up against something bigger than us. But if we don’t try — if we just give in to the selfishness, we’ll lose ourselves. We’ll lose our humanity.”

Host: The words hung between them like a fragile thread, and for a moment, there was only the sound of the rain outside, the gentle clink of cups from nearby tables. Jeeny looked at Jack, her eyes full of something that could only be described as hope, while Jack remained still, the weight of reality pressing down on him.

Jack: “You really think hope is enough? That just because we believe in working together, it will magically happen? Have you seen how people treat each other when things go wrong? Distrust, anger, it’s all we’ve got. Look at businesses, governments. They’re all built on secrecy, manipulation, and the constant push to get more — more power, more money, more control. And when you have all that, there’s no room left for working together.”

Jeeny: She leaned forward, her eyes fixed on his, unwavering. “But that’s exactly why we need to shift our focus, Jack. If we keep pointing out the anger, the deceit, and the greed, we’re only reinforcing it. We need to put our energy towards what’s possible. Look at the small groups that are changing things — communities coming together, people finding ways to solve problems collaboratively. It’s happening, but we just don’t see it enough.”

Jack: His hands gripped the edge of the table, his gaze hard and unyielding. “It’s too small to make a difference. It doesn’t matter how many people you get to work together if the world is still divided. Power will always win. The ones in control won’t let us unite.”

Jeeny: She paused, her voice dropping, softer this time, almost sad. “I know it’s hard to believe, Jack. But change never happens all at once. It starts with small acts, with people choosing to come together, even in the smallest ways. We have to hold on to that, even when it feels like the world is falling apart. If we don’t, then the anger, the distrust, and the greed will become all we have.”

Host: There was a shift in the air between them — not a sudden one, but a subtle change, like the gradual dimming of the light outside as the evening deepened. Jack’s eyes softened, just slightly, and for the first time in the conversation, he didn’t look so sure. He looked as if he was considering the possibility that maybe — just maybe — there was more to this than he had allowed himself to believe.

Jack: “Maybe… maybe you’re right. I don’t know anymore. But I’m tired, Jeeny. Tired of fighting. Tired of always looking over my shoulder.”

Jeeny: A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of her lips, her voice calm and steady. “I know you are, Jack. And I don’t have all the answers. But I believe in people — in their ability to change, even when it seems impossible. It’s not about ignoring the problems, it’s about choosing to build something better, even when it feels like the world is falling apart.”

Host: The rain began to slow, the sound softer now, as if the storm was passing. Jack and Jeeny sat there, their eyes meeting, both of them silently acknowledging the truth that had settled between them. The world outside might be full of anger, greed, and distrust, but for the first time, they felt a quiet resolve within themselves — a decision to keep trying, no matter how hard it seemed.

The rain had stopped. The clouds began to part.