The idea of sharing is such a beautiful concept to me. I actually look at sharing as a form of communication more than anything. I believe people's willingness to share in the first place, what they are willing to share and in what quantity can be used as a sort of compass for navigating a relationship with that individual. To be even more specific; whether a person shares unsolicited or only because it is asked of them is very telling as well. Be it within a romantic relationship, friendship, professional or otherwise sharing is unassailably important.Some are stingy when it comes to the topic of sharing "things", Exempli Gratia: money, food, expenses etc., but will pour out their heart to you over a beer and allow you to do the same. Others will pick up the bill, insist you accept gifts, fill up your gas tank if they borrow your car.....but when it comes time you need someone to talk to like the type of person cited above.......M.I.A.A very rare bird is he who will BUY your beer while you pour your heart out to him about losing your job.....and what a beautifully made bird.
What inspired me to jot down this thought was a brief, beautiful encounter I had with a co-worker early this morning by the coffee pot. I walked into the break room to grab my tea, looking at the floor still trying to wake up and nearly collided with a mid-fifties wonderful little plump immigrant woman from Laos named Buoathong (Bo for short.) We smiled and had a little laugh, which is largely how we communicate due to my lack of knowledge of her language and vice versa. I turned to prepare my tea and she said "Look.....I have chinese do-nut......you want try bite?" I agreed to have a taste in the name of good will, and trained in the American tradition of having a "bite", expected the common postage-stamp-sized piece of, whatever, just for a taste......only to watch her tear the donut into two pieces which were significantly disparate,Then she smiled and handed me the larger piece. We ate our respective Chinese Doughnut portions......the occasional "Mmmm....thanks," "Mmmmm, you welcome," together and parted ways to get back to work. Of course I thanked her profusely for giving me not a bite but MOST of her breakfast, but it was only several moments later that I really realized how deeply important such an encounter can be as long as one is cognizant that early in the morning.
What inspired me to jot down this thought was a brief, beautiful encounter I had with a co-worker early this morning by the coffee pot. I walked into the break room to grab my tea, looking at the floor still trying to wake up and nearly collided with a mid-fifties wonderful little plump immigrant woman from Laos named Buoathong (Bo for short.) We smiled and had a little laugh, which is largely how we communicate due to my lack of knowledge of her language and vice versa. I turned to prepare my tea and she said "Look.....I have chinese do-nut......you want try bite?" I agreed to have a taste in the name of good will, and trained in the American tradition of having a "bite", expected the common postage-stamp-sized piece of, whatever, just for a taste......only to watch her tear the donut into two pieces which were significantly disparate,Then she smiled and handed me the larger piece. We ate our respective Chinese Doughnut portions......the occasional "Mmmm....thanks," "Mmmmm, you welcome," together and parted ways to get back to work. Of course I thanked her profusely for giving me not a bite but MOST of her breakfast, but it was only several moments later that I really realized how deeply important such an encounter can be as long as one is cognizant that early in the morning.
