Nails shouldn't stand out. Don't be a nail.

I have realized that sometimes, even when you least mean to, you may shine too brightly. Perhaps, you are passionate about a hobby, like baking. Go with me here. You love baking SO much that you bake new recipes, trying out different types of sugars, flavorings, frosting, building your abilities so that it really seems you have game! I mean, you are even fantasizing about being a baker one day. One that could appear on the Food Network and compete, but competition isn't your thing. See, you don't like to shine. You much prefer to blend into the wall and flower there. A wallflower suits you just fine.

Until one day, when your friends are talking about how much they love cookies and wish they had some to have with coffee during morning break. So, being the pleaser that you are, you go home, put on some music, get out your favorite pan, because every baker has that...one...pan that puts just the right amount of golden browness on your cookies. Not too much, because burnt cookie never taste good. Thinking of how happy your friends will be when you bring in cookies, you bake not only one batch, but too types. Giving them an option. Options are always great, right?

Then, that morning comes. You wrap the cookies on a white platter handed down from your mom and you place them in the break room. Your intention, what you hope will happen, is your friends will enjoy the cookies. Smile. Be happy they had something sweet to go with their coffee like they were begging for the day before. Instead, the unexpected happens. Eyes roll. There's a feeling of...well, almost jealousy. But, why? They're your friends! You did something nice for them. Oh, they thank you and comment on how great the cookies are, but there's this feeling that you out-shined. You did too much. You were a nail that stood out, and they just hammered you down. Don't be a nail that stands out. Or, maybe continue to be you. Don't absorb their feelings of perhaps inadequacy in that they don't know how to bake or don't spontaneously do nice things, or maybe you just have this feelings because inside, you feared they wouldn't like what you baked. Actually, were you baking them for you, or for them? Intention. Give a gift, and expect nothing in return. I...mean...nothing. No words of appreciation, no words of gratitude, or affirming comments. Be happy in simply the giving. That is keeping it real. StayNonfiction.

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