Many moons ago, I unknowingly took away someone’s excitement by my lack of empathy towards their perspectives. It may seem like a trivial story to tell, but in the broad scheme of things, I said something that still haunts me to this day. Don’t Shoot Down Anyone’s Shooting Star or pay the price in years to come.
The Mission: To evaluate the consequences of insensitive actions. Just don’t do it – Don’t Shoot Down Anyone’s Shooting Star.
I was around the age of twelve when my best friend, Jess, called me at nine o’clock. The pronounced excitement in her voice rippled through the phone. I didn’t understand why she was so enthusiastic; we had just seen each other an hour prior.
Regardless, I listened eagerly to what she had to say. “Oh my God, Amanda, I just saw a shooting star!” She screamed frantically. She continued, “I went outside, looked up, and there it was! I can’t believe it!” I didn’t even think about my response, it just popped out of my aloof, young mouth, “you haven’t seen a shooting star before?”
My cold, heartless retort broke her excitement. Today, I forget her answer to my question. However, I do believe our phone call ended shortly after. I’m sure I just went about my night as if nothing happened nor affected my existing life.
As I got older, I frequently revisit that brief conversation. To this day, I can still remember the infliction in her voice. Putting myself in her adolescent, teen-aged shoes, I understand how and why she was so thrilled.
Shooting stars are not common. I doubt I’ve even seen a dozen shooting stars in my life thus far. And even if I see a dozen a week, it’s still a magical occurrence to behold. Each time, regardless of that conversation, that I’ve seen a shooting star, my first words usually are, “oh my God, a shooting star!” With that same infliction, Jess had when she had called me. At that time, she chose to share her experience with someone she loved, her best friend.
Don’t Shoot Down Anyone’s Shooting Star. Don’t take away someone’s thrill in life. They have a right to their journey and perceive it as they choose. Before writing this piece, I asked Jess for her permission to tell my side of the story and to finally apologize for my lack of empathy. When I relayed my story, she had no recollection of the incident. She laughed about it and let me off my guilty hook. Relief set in knowing that my comment didn’t affect her life Journey. However, I’m sure at the time, I killed her spirit.
Not partaking in my best friend’s glory, made me a bad friend. We should be lifting people up, not shooting them down. Celebrating the little miracles in life makes this life worth living, regardless of whether the miracles are happening to you or someone else. When you are open to setting your ego aside and spreading love; love and good fortune will come to you.
The Moral: Don’t Shoot Down Anyone’s Shooting Star.
P.S. Every time I see a shooting star, I think of you, Jess, and the magical person you are.
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