The straw that broke the camel's back
Once upon a time I thought this story was just fiction. But life taught me there is a point at which things break. Things change.
When I see people who are down, and someone pushes them just a little further with an uncalled for unkindness or rude remark, I wonder:
Is this the last straw? The one that breaks them?
I began to understand this, when my son died.
My son took his own life, and that changed my life forever.
I kept thinking back on the things in his life which put him down At least the ones I knew about. How many more were there that hit him in the big world outside?
I don't know which one was the Last Straw, the one that broke the camel's back for him. It didn't have to be a big thing. But it was all that he needed.
While it is now too late to help my son, I see others who are on the verge, the edge. And others with hard hearts who don't LOOK at the person they are dealing with, don't SEE what they are doing.
Believe me, we will all be held accountable for what we do. What we deal out will return to us as a lesson. What we encounter in life is there to teach us, and we must learn our lessons well or be placed in the same situation.
Speak kindly to the person in line with you at the grocery store. Smile at least. For some people, that is the only social interaction they have, the only time they encounter their neighbors. While they are worrying about having money enough to feed their family, be kind to them. You do not know how close they are to their breaking point.
If a young person is in turmoil because he cannot relate to his parents, be there for him. I wonder if someone had been there for my son when he was that age, if it would have given his life a different direction. Instead, he got involved with the wrong people who reinforced his belief that the world was unfair and he could not change his own life.
When you hurt inside, and feel despondent, reach out to your neighbor and see if a kindness given when you hurt does not soothe your wounded spirit.
Of course, we hold the power to change our response to events in our life. No one makes us do anything. We do have free will. But when we feel down, it is sometimes hard to see we have options. We make our own heaven and our own hell. If you feel you have been less than kind to someone, it will turn your world into a hell. You have the power to give each person you encounter a little piece of heaven every time you interact with them. Please be aware. We are all in this world together. This world is a lovely place. It is a wonderful thing to be alive.
Let's not forget there is a tiny straw somewhere that is the very last thing someone can take. It will be the straw that broke the camel's back.
In memory of my son, Steven.
August 11, 1960 - October 27, 1995
Lest we forget
C. by MoccasinLanding
Steven
August 11, 1960 - October 27, 1995
MoccasinLanding
Updated: 12/15/01
