What I Can Offer the World
At some point the choice comes down to the same question every time. Whether it’s my lifelong love, parents, or some angry stranger on the street—do I want to leave this world having tried my whole life to be right? Protected? Do I want to keep tallies on all the times I tried to give love, and it didn’t come back? Or do I want to live my life knowing that I chose over and over again to give a little bit of my heart to a world that needed it? Not everyone will agree with what I choose to sacrifice, asking me why I continue to give something that isn’t returned. But I know who I was born to be, and I think to myself that I was not meant to leave with anything but my spirit, never conserving anything, never being stingy with the effort I give. I have always been that way in the things I do, leaving everything to the game that I play, and taking with me an empty shell to fill up with what I need to evolve into the version of myself I will be next. So, in this game of life, I will not selfishly be gone with a heart full of love I refused to give away. I refuse to let an angry coworker, a past lover, or even a concerned and opinionated friend keep me from my gift to give my love away. My strength has not come in my ability to build stronger walls of protection and caution. No, my strength has come in knowing that the next time I give my heart to someone or something and I get nothing in return, I will still stand. I will still be who I have come to love. And I will know in my soul that I draw from an endless source, never running out of chances for anyone. I will keep loving when I have no reason to, when a worried parent or friend tells me to give it up. It doesn’t always come easy, but I will whisper to my heart, “Don’t give into the fear now, the world needs you.” And she will nod and give me a smile that whispers back that she is proud of me. And I will know I am not betraying who I am but instead connecting to who I was always meant to be. Right or wrong, that is what I have to offer this world, and so that is what I will give.
With love,
Taryn Ashley
Ruby with her love to give.
Do you need some?
