Share the Buffet!

With the onset of Fall and the transition we must make to bring our activities indoors, I find myself bringing my thoughts inward as well.

I'm such a word picture girl. Why make a simple statement when a long drawn-out story will do?
It's been brought to my attention lately how much time we spend in dead-end relationships or jobs. Or how we settle into our lives, not quite unhappy but not thrilled to get up in the morning either.

It makes me think of buffet lines. You know, the places where you grab a plate at one end and need a crane to help you take your laden dishes to your table?

Everything looks good, has potential. I may not really like slabs of ham or sides of beef but it's my right to take some of everything.

Then after I've nibbled here and there, most of it is left for the overworked server to haul away and discard.

What a waste!

It makes me think of the times I've glanced over at someone elses' dish to see what they chose, noting that the food is something I've always wanted but could never find.
I'm intrigued, so I take myself up to the buffet table again to find that delectable dish to sample myself.

Only it's gone, emptied out of the serving tray.

None for me, who would have enjoyed it immensely. Left to be tossed to the trash because someone got there ahead of me and wasted it.

Do I sound extra emotional about food?

I'm relating it to relationships, really.

How many times do we see couples in this situation? One of the individuals isn't sure, doesn't know, doesn't want to commit, doesn't want to invest.

But he/she doesn't want to be alone either. Or really, they don't want to free the other person, to share, if you will.

I refer to it as taking someone 'off the market.' Hoarding them so no one else gets the joy and benefit of a meaningful relationship. Then by the time one or both of them is fed up (deliberate pun) years have passed and possibilities are limited.

I think we need to get over the 'this will do' mentality.

Have the strength of character and the sensitivity to make wise choices. Don't grab the buffet food just cuz it's there and don't hoard people's hearts just because you can.