30 Days of Truth – Day 04

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Day 04 – Something you have to forgive someone for.

I’d like to say I have thick skin, but the truth is that my feelings are too easily hurt. I tend to take things personally despite adopting “Q-tip” Quit Taking it Personally as my new mantra. Luckily my tender feelings are balanced out by what I call a “mind like a steel sieve” – meaning that I forget things.

Lots of things.

All the time.

That’s a good thing when it comes to hurt feelings. Although it stings at first, the incident soon slips my mind and I go on with my life happily oblivious to the number of times my feelings have been hurt.

Ignorance is bliss.

But occasionally an incident will stay with me. I don’t know if it was my surprise and shock at the time, the nonchalant attitude with which the phrase was spoken, or the unexpected source, but one incident left a lasting impression.

At the time I just brushed it off. If you’d asked me about it when it happened I’d have said it was no big deal; just a stupid comment. But when I was contemplating this blog post, this was the only incident that came to mind.

 

It happened when I was in college. I was standing in my sorority’s hallway, waiting to get a drink from the bubbler. Water fountain, for you non-Wisconsinites. The sorority sister ahead of me was a year younger than I and in the pledge class after mine. She turned away from the bubbler and said “something something something sorority slut something something.”

 

I really don’t remember what she said except those two words. I know it doesn’t sound like much; I’ve heard much worse in my life.

But it hurt.

Sure, I’d gotten “marriage” and “baby carriage” backwards but I definitely didn’t live up to that label.

 

My face must have reflected my surprise and hurt, because she tried to laugh it off: “I’m just kidding!”

I don’t remember what I said or did, but since I don’t like to make a scene I probably laughed too.

On the outside.

Kidding or not, words hurt.

 

Kidding or not, I never looked at that sorority sister the same way again.

And although I do think I’ve forgiven her, I don’t know if I’ll ever forget.

 

Words hurt.

Especially carelessly unkind words from someone you thought was your friend.

Someone you considered a sister.

Ouch.

Image credit: Forgive by hollyhennypenny on Flickr.

 

Past Days:
Day 01 – Something you hate about yourself.
Day 02 – Something you love about yourself.
Day 03 – Something need to forgive yourself for.

Future Days selected from the following:
Day 05 – Something you hope to do in your life.
Day 06 – Something you hope you never have to do.
Day 07 – Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 08 – Someone who made your life miserable, or treated you like dirt.
Day 09 – Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10 – Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Day 11 – Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12 – Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13 – A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough days. (write a letter.)
Day 14 – A hero that has let you down. (letter)
Day 15 – Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.
Day 16 – Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17 – A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18 – Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19 – What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?
Day 20 – Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21 – (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22 – Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23 – Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24 – Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)
Day 25 – The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26 – Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27 – What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28 – What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?
Day 29 – Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30 – A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself.