I took a summer art class at Santa Monica College over here in California. My mom pampers me like mad--she takes care of my lunches, gets everything prepped for me, etcetera, etcetera--I just have to do the work. So, my lunches. She makes my lunches, even in high school--and back then was no exception. I have a thing about carrots. I suppose, we have a thing about carrots. I get carrots every single day in my lunch. It makes my day weird if I don't get carrots for lunch. All my friends ask me for carrots if I don't eat them.
As I finished my class, I went down to the bus stop. Sometimes, my mom can't pick me up, and I had to take the bus home. I sat down on the bench, and started to munch on some... carrots. A woman came and sat down next to me, as well, and we waited there.
Except I was eating carrots. I could feel her presence strongly--I could just tell that she would have loved to have a carrot. I wanted to give her a carrot. I wanted to put a smile on, and reach over with my little plastic bag and offer her some carrots. I could just feel her intent on it. I worked up the nerve for ages--ages. I know she just wanted a nice, juicy, refreshing, beautifully orange carrot. It seemed like an age--until finally--her bus came. It wasn't mine. She left.
I never gave her a carrot.
I wasn't happy with myself, and I had to ask. What's wrong with me? What's wrong with people? What are we so afraid of? Why are we afraid to show a little warmth, a small kindness? Why can't we just give a little love? Is it because we're afraid of seeming weird, or imposing? Or is that just an excuse? Is it just that we're so afraid of rejection, we're so afraid of not getting a little love--that we won't give or get any, period? Why is it so hard for us to give a little love? Why is it even so hard sometimes to give to your best friend? To a friend? To an acquaintance? To a complete stranger? How about to an enemy? Is it so wrong to ask for a little love, as well? A little bit of kindness, warmth, and love makes all the difference in the world.
I really wish I gave her that carrot.
Will you give her a carrot?
its something new
no big deal
you may see her again
and next time offer her 2 carrots
i personally dont really like carrots
they taste...
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
Its like she said. No big deal. I wish you would get an arrow and take your own advice for once.
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
Metaphor! Metaphor! Ah, the literary devices will be lost forever soon.
I found this to be remarkably profound. And the more I try to express what this makes me think of, the less I'm able to do it. Suffice it to say you've caused my brain to chase itself around my head again.
--Samus
(if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention)
You have a really good point. I think people are definitely afraid of rejection, or maybe even afraid of being misinterpreted. I have a lot of guy friends who I LOVE a lot, but nothing more than friends. I'm naturally a very affectionate person, but I'm always afraid to show them my affection because I think they will misinterpret it, and think that I like them in a different way or something......I don't know. All I have to say is that I agree with you, and I wish people were a little more open to both giving AND receiving kindness.