As a sidenote, one of my favorite quotes I used to always tell my roommate was "who would I be if I didn't try?". Who would I be if I didn't try for the many, many programs + jobs + clubs + everything else in the world that I applied to? Even with a subpar application, who would I be if I didn't try? This essay provides a similar thought, much more eloquently than I could have ever imagined.
I'm afraid I may have copied majority of the first part of the essay onto these notes.
The same goes for getting to know someone. Not only are you learning the facts of their life, but also how to best treat them: What do they need when they’re sad? What should you absolutely not mention when they’re angry? Do they want a hug or space? A cup of tea or chocolate milk?
So you try.
And perhaps you get it right the first time around, but chances are the colours end up a bit muddier than you wanted, and that thing you said sounded better in your head. Wanting to get it right, and continuously working to get it right, is an act of devotion. But the essence of care isn’t found in the right answer.
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It’s found in the willingness to put ego aside and accept the fact that you come up short sometimes. To look bad or awkward because you care.
Not picking up the paint brush, not making a fool of yourself, not ruining the friendship, not walking out the door would be the easy options, meaning trying is very much on purpose. It’s an active decision, over and over again: What are you willing to do for this person/passion? How much effort will you put in? What inconvenience do you choose to take on?
You always have a choice; you can always give up. But you can also always gather the information you got and try something else next time. Because you want there to be a next time.
There is much to be said about why it needs fixing in the first place, but at the end of the day, every piece of effort, every good intention, every science paper, every desire to right a wrong is a love letter.
In fashion, maybe a precursor to this article can be this one. Where protecting your peace has dulled your sparkle, trying can bring it back to life.
