This is a blog post from my friend T.J. He posted this on his MySpace page this morning.Not only did I give him two Kudos... I thought it deserved to be re-posted. It's quite good, don't you think?Some of you will discard this, based on its length... moving on to the next little survey on your page...
I like to test people all the time... Often times, when I ask something of somebody, or offer something, or behave a certain way, or even ask "are you sure"... I'm testing people... all of you.
Some pass... some fail. That is all relative to my personnal version of what is right , and what is wrong. We all have our own code... our own understanding of right and wrong, but I get something out of putting people through tests they don't even realize they are part of.
Some would say that's not very nice...
But you have to remember, that life IS tests!!
I will not say what my own personal yes, no, or "that was only once" responses are for each of these. I just want to say that in my opinion... life is tests...
Every reaction... every choice... is part of that.
When you find a quarter on the ground, do you shove it in your pocket... and forget about it? Or do you stick it in the next "Help the children" box you come across in the gas station?
When given an opportunity to show some trust in someone who has tried so hard to be deserving of it... do you deny it? Or do you give them the chance to prove their worth, despite your fears?
When you are given a twenty dollar bill, instead of the five you are supposed to recieve... do you smile to yourself about the error, and revel in your good fortune? Or do you hand the money back to the server, with the understanding, that that comes out of their pocket... and while you may have been sweet to them, at least SOMEBODY has recently treated them like shit!
When you have a choice of helping another through a patch in their life that may at times seem even trivial to you... do you point out your sufferings, and belittle what they go through? Or do you use your experience and knowledge, to assist them... knowing that you weren't always so worldly yourself?
When faced with a situation where someone who is supposed to be closed to you has a life altering experience... do you buckle under the pressure, and let your fear get the best of you? Or do you fight for, and with that person, knowing that they would always be the first to battle next to you, should anything ever come against you in your life?
When you see someone on the side of the road, struggling to change a tire... do you say "that sucks", and make sure you're on time for work? Or do you stop... help them... and go on late, get in trouble, and just hope that they will someday do the same for someone else?
When someone you know is really hard up... and you find yourself constantly helping them with bills, a ride, a shoulder, whatever the case may be... do you ask for favors from them? Do you remind them whenever possible, how generous you are, making sure to let others know of your apparent generosity? Or do you simply do what you can, and not tell others about it?
If a friend asks for a phone call, or message, or something so basic... just a few moments out of your time; to make sure you're okay. Do you make that a priority for that day? Or do you figure out what excuses you can use, because you don't feel like "dealing with them"?
If you're running late for an appointment, and you see someone struggling with a large container... or what WAS a large container full of items, now strewn on the floor. Do you help the almost certainly embarrassed individual pick up the mess? Or do you slide past, trying not to step on any of the contents... and rush to your appointment?
If you're in the checkout line at a store, with a half cart full of goods... and someone steps in behind you, carrying three items. Do you say "go ahead", and gesture in front of you? Or do you look back toward the convayor, and shovel your stuff toward the register?
If you have a child that finds that they have an interest in music or visual arts, and wants a way to express it... Do you support that part of their creative nature, and make certain that they have whatever means necessary... even if it means you don't get a better computer, or vacation, or a new appliance? Or do you tell the child to focus on something more "realistic", and ask them to be happy with whatever toys they've got?
Think about it... and remember... pass or fail, life IS tests.
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Waiter Rant by Steve Dublanica
