Hello, travellers.  How has your day been?  Could you share one good thing that’s happened to you today?  One thing to be happy about, or accomplished?  Some news that gave you even a hint of hope?

Quite a few years ago I had an acquaintance–whom I thought was a friend– tell me that my optimism made me annoying.  This has stayed with me for well over a decade now.  When I was in high school, a series of events ended with my speech and debate team having to sleep in our coach’s house.  The next morning, I was the one to call down the stairs to wake many of my fellows.  They responded with a very loud ‘Shut up!’

It’s so easy to judge someone in a single moment.  To lash out for something that is, in the grand scheme of things, meaningless.  Those are the moments that stay with us, though, aren’t they?

I am occasionally surprised by my own reaction to something ‘small’ that happens.  Until I remember events such as those.  It’s a strike at an old wound.  It is unpleasant.  Knowing why I’m reacting so strongly does not make it any easier to survive these moments.  Revisiting them does not remove the pain from the past.

There does live, however, the knowledge that this has happened.  It is happening.  It will happen again.  And despite what anyone may call me, no matter how they might react to my cheer, even knowing it is hated by some, I am who I am.  The things I want to change about myself have nothing to do with how others perceive me.

Go forward, dear travellers, on the journey of your choice.  May your path be smooth.