No points for guessing which of the two I am.]
"I wish I could run like you."
"What are you waiting for, just start."
"I can't."
"Of course you can. If you really want to, I'll have you running in a month."
"I can't."
"Is it that you can't, or that you don't want to?"
"Same thing."
"Not really. Maybe you don't make and effort to run, because you don't really want to."
"That is true. I am worried about hurting my knee."
"But in that case, why even think of running?"
"Because I want to be able to run like you."
"Why would you want to? You are you."
_____
A drabble is a story told in exactly 100 words.
This is so full of deeper meaning. It's almost like a catalyst for an identity crisis. Great drabble! :o)
ReplyDeleteGreat message: we should be proud of who we are and not always strive to be something we're not.
ReplyDeleteLike talking to a child - except I'm sure this person was an adult.
ReplyDeleteAnd if she can't appreciate who she is by now...
@ Jessica- thank you. I couldn't even believe I was having that conversation.
ReplyDelete@ Karen- thank you.
@ Fiona- precisely. It is good to push yourself and have dreams, but if you are not happy being who you are, you are in trouble.
@ Alex- and the funniest thing is that I admire her a lot, because she does so many things well that I can't even dream of doing. What a waste.
Rayna - What a beautiful reminder that each of us is an individual. We shouldn't want to be like others - even others we admire. We should want to develop our own selves. I think there is a difference between respecting and admiring someone and wanting to be that person.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I love that 'photo! The young girl (third from left) looks so beautiful and fragile... I would love to know her.
Ah yes... this would be me... the other one, I mean. I want to want to, but I don't want to... *sigh*
ReplyDeleteI've finally come to peace with not wanting to run anymore... my back, knees and ankles have thanked me, but my butt isn't seeming to accept any substitutionss, so it is growing in protest.
Yeah, I get that all the time too. People always say they would like to be me (probably because of my self-confidence) but I think all people have the ability to be self-confident.
ReplyDeleteCD
Marvelous! I like the layers of meaning here too.
ReplyDeleteSo many layers in so few words.
ReplyDeleteWonderful!
What a wonderful conversation and so rich with meaning!
ReplyDeleteI think Margot hit it on the nose - we confuse admiration with desiring to be like that person. Or sometimes, we wish we had the benifits without the work;-)
ReplyDeleteMy guess is you're the italicized one. This sounds like conversations I've had before. I like your summation~ :o) <3
ReplyDeleteBeautifully-put celebration of individuality!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful ladies in the picture.
ReplyDeleteLove it. But for me, I really prefer learning the skill and improving on my own. Why do I like to workout alone, or write? Because I'm only competing against myself to become even better at what I want to accomplish in my life.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how you take a conversation like that and find something beautiful in it! The meaning is fabulous. :)
ReplyDeleteoh and I'm glad you are you! In all your youness.
ReplyDeleteI thought maybe you were talking to yourself-- very nice drabble today.
ReplyDeleteLove it - so many layers to this conversation! :)
ReplyDelete@ Margot- you put it so beautifully, Margot. There are so many people I really admire, and I would want to be 'like' them. But they are them, and I am me, and I should aspire to pick up qualities that I admire, but remain who I am.
ReplyDeleteAnd the girls are all so beautiful, aren't they? That girl is my favourite too.
@ Hart- but you are different. You want to, but either you are not able to because there are only so many hours in a day, or you are trying. Which is what makes you, YOU.
And pity about the butt. That is another thing we have in common - one I wish we didn't :-(
@ Clarissa- self confidence is the key, isn't it?
@ Holly, Mary, Talli - thank you
@ Cinette- benefit without the work is just not going to happen, is it?
@ LTM- yes, of course. And I am sure you have had similar conversations too- it can be frustrating meeting people who want to do, but don't.
@ Elizabeth- thank you.
@ Pk Hrezo- they are, aren't they?
@ GutsyWriter- precisely. I like competing with myself in things that matter. I also like competing with others, sometimes, so I know where I stand, but it is more of a yard-stick than a comparison.
@ Oddyoddyo13- thank you. That's a lovely thing to say.
@ Jan- as I am glad you are you, and I found you.
@ Danette- now that is something I never thought about. Not because I don't talk to myself, but because I stopped comparing myself to others a very long time back.
@ Jemi- to be honest, I did not find some of the layers till all of you pointed it out.
Such a great answer..."You are You"!!
ReplyDeleteYes and amen!!
Hugs
SueAnn
So true, we do spend much of our lives trying to be someone or something that we aren't. I think you are the running in this story, but am thankful that you are you regardless!
ReplyDeleteWonderful and realizing the beauty and uniqueness that makes us, US I mean YOU, I mean ME~
ReplyDeleteI really can't run; Back surgery...walking is me! xXx
Great drabble!
@ SueAnn- thank you. And that is true isn't it? Each of us is unique and that is what makes the world so beautiful.
ReplyDelete@ Trudy - it is nice to aspire to be more than we are, but not at the cost of our individuality. At least, that is what I believe.
@ Ellen - and we all love you for who you are. My friend is a walker too, and I see no reason she should start running, unless she wants to.