Today’s Prompt: POTENTIAL
I ordered a new 2018 AP Stylebook. I could have chosen “slightly used” or some other flawed option and paid less money, but this is enough of a professional necessity that I decided to pay full price.
And yet … it arrived imperfect
The vendor blames the postal service (probably true). They offered a full refund if I would send it back (undoubtedly through the same postal service) or a 30% refund if I would keep it.
Maybe it was laziness that led me to keep it and not send it back.
As I kept using it, though, the imperfect version grew on me. The information inside is no different than it would be if the cover were perfect.
I look at that crimped cover and think of people full of potential who aren’t given a chance they deserve because people can’t or won’t see past cosmetic blemishes and poor first impressions.
Our stories take longer to tell, and are richer/more nuanced, than our outer shell lets on.
*Note – written on my phone – I am at a conference and didn’t want to delay joining everyone at the FMF linkup. I am literally “all thumbs” for this one!
Wife of one, Mom of two, Friend of many. My pronouns are she/her/hers.
I love this analogy ALOT. Damaged goods are still valuable. How it looks has no bearing on what can come from it. Yes, book or person.
Exactly, Jane!
Wow! Yes the stories people tell have ever so much more depth than a quick assessment by the outside world.
Exactly. I could have framed this differently (needing to be more assertive with the vendor, to try to get my money back etc etc etc and honestly this flaw DOES make it a little difficult to OPEN the book, which is a problem (LOL)) but it sits there by where I work and kind of “speaks” to me. 🙂
It’s so true- we can’t often see the potential unless we look deeper and stop judging people at face value!
Yes. This is a lesson I need to relearn over and over and over.
Paula, this is GREAT. The perfect analogy.
Thank you Andrew (I’ve been at a conference and am just getting to replies — but I read your comment a few days ago and appreciate it).
Your thumbs worked great Paula! This is such an important reminder to not juspdge a book by its cover! Love it! Cindy
*judge Now who’s all thumbs?
Ha ha ha! I’m old school and it feels odd doing it that way but when the words need to come out, they need to come out!
Amen! We need to be better about looking beyond what’s on the outside. I’m in the 43 spot this week.
We surely do. I look forward to visiting your post.