Dear Reader,

I am heartbroken over the horrific recent events. One of the reasons I wrote this book was to teach people how to endure the challenges of working anywhere, not just Walmart. But Walmart was particularly challenging for me. The original title for this book was "Surviving Walmart."

And it goes both ways; My social skills have always been a work-in-progress. Interacting with such a huge quantity and diversity of people demands constant attention from all Associates, management and, even customers. Walmart employment, while necessary for current survival, tended to put my anxiety on steroids. Welcome mats get worn out quickly, and forced kindness in the face of disrespect turns into rudeness within months.

When I published this book I concluded by imploring everyone to find another way to vent your inevitable frustrations. There will be events, policies, and people that you'll never understand. This happens everywhere in life, although Walmart seems to amplify this effect. Being exposed to repeated irritation from people you must work with, along with surprise interactions from anyone, taking anything, with any belief, past or culture, is quite challenging. For me this required learning how to cope, respond, behave and react, to almost anything that has or could happen.

Once I learned that there were things I could not change, it became easier to cope. Meanwhile, I crafted an escape plan. It now became easier to deal with the hopelessness of seemingly dead-end situations. I learned that "now" was temporary, while events, especially tragedies, are permanent history. We are learning that it might not have been a good idea to give away guns, so easily to anyone, for so many decades.

Back in 2010 I begged everyone to seek peaceful solutions. Many of us are there because it was the last employment on the block. We have to accept our part in being there. We are always being tolerated by others while tolerating others, at the same time. Whenever we seek revenge, we may as well dig two graves; one for our victim and one for ourselves. Thoughts and prayers don't work.

I found a way out 12 years ago. Every bizarre situation and irritation did pass. I still bear the physical and emotional scars from my tenure, but there has been healing. I can lift my arms above my head with limitations, and I can walk again. Fear of people declines. You will probably regain most of your physical, emotional, and mental function when you inevitably move on.

There is always a peaceful solution to every conflict. Please find your way through the goo. As an Atheist, the corporate background supporting religious delusion was particularly challenging. With over 4000 religions worldwide, there is the potential for teaching reality, (and inviting conflict,) with any daily interaction with anyone.

The challenge is mind-boggling. The faithful simply don't know that all religions were created by man. Fully 90% of the world believes in something that is not true or doesn't exist. Even worse, belief in nonsense makes other nonsense easier to believe. While it's nice to believe we can let anyone believe anything they want, people act on these beliefs in ways that damage mankind. People actually believe they are following the directions of an imaginary being. This will not change for thousands of years, if we survive. Indeed, religion is the greatest threat to mankind that does exist. Walmart amplifies this effect.

This book is an owner's manual. There is life after Walmart. Seek peace. Find a nice way out. Life is precious. Life is already hard enough without tragedies. It will change no matter what you do. It is our responsibility to find our way out. Seek kindness.

This postscript added by the author on 11-26-2022.