The Lamp Next to the Wallflower

Hey Out There,

We've all been in that dirty, dank place where we think it'd be easier to give up than to keep going. Truth is, it probably would be easier, but where's the story in that?

Believe it or not, sticking it out is worth a try. During the summer, I was tempted to give up everything that made me the year before. The groups I was in, even some of the friendships I'd made, I asked myself if they'd really miss me. And so many times this year have I stood in a room and felt like I had no purpose there. Angsty stuff, I know. But the sick thing is, that type of thing is normal. You watch the other people around you and they're all having the time of their lives and then there's you, the wallflower.

Don't wait until you feel the need to scream out loud to make yourself a part of the scene. Too many times have I done that and I've become such a burden on the people who care about me, who constantly have to reassure me that I matter to them, and to the world. Of course, they don't think it as a burden, they do that sort of thing out of love and genuine concern, but that's how it comes off. I get to thinking, if I'd just clued in, I'd be the person making someone else's day. Spread some positive energy and enlighten them -- "guess what, I care." And so do a lot of others.

In case you didn't pick up, stay! STAY! There are people around you, friends, family, whomever, that care and don't you dare deny them the chance to show it. Let them keep you, it's the nice thing to do. Don't go walking away from something good.