It could be that you never know what may mean something in the future.
The favorite color you had when you were a kid – not the one you said in elementary school – the one you liked so long ago you don’t even remember it. Your parents will remind you if you can’t… but, it turns out to be the color you paint your living room when you buy your first house – or the color you tend to wear when you want to make a statement. You have matured and yet, it is still significant and meaningful to you. It is part of your identity.
The feeling you had when you ate that new food. It was a craving, but has become a flavor you can’t live without. You share it with others when you hear they have never tried it. You bring it along for snacks, or choose it as a default when you go out to eat at a new restaurant and nothing on the specials or featured chef menu stands out to you. You might not choose it as your “goto” food if you are stranded on a desert island, but you will definitely miss it if you could never have it again. You better be rescued…
The pain you had that one time for no reason, or when you worked out too much without stretching…it can become the weakest link in your physiology. Whether that is an unknown illness or an on-going injury, there is no real way to fix it unless you catch it early. So don’t ignore it – get to the doctor and check it out. Also, be sure to stretch next time. You will be happy you stayed diligent. Your older self will thank you for being so smart and in tune with your body.
The person who is cranky or frowning…no one knows what they are going through. Maybe they spilled tomato sauce on their favorite shirt, staining it forever. Perhaps they couldn’t get their best meal ever at the restaurant because it was sold out, or too late for the lunch menu. Could be that they have an invisible ailment, something taking all of their patience and energy, ruining their well-being at the moment.
You never know…it could be all of this and so much more. My advice: Be patient. Be thoughtful. Have empathy. Ask the easy questions. Listen with both ears (don’t wait to talk.) You might need someone to do all of these things for you some day.
~ Dawn aka Hat Girl