New Thing!!

     So because I'm bored I'm going to try this new thing where I expound upon a quote from my Goodreads quote of the day emails. So... the first one:

You don't have anything if you don't have the stories.

This was said (Mind you this is what Goodreads said. I only research the supposed speaker, not who said it.) by Leslie Marmon Silko, who, according to Goodreads, is a Native American authoress.

     I love this quote, especially as I am in high school where everyone gossips about everything. Without verifying facts. Which I don't understand, because, first of all, how hypocritical is that? You can spread rumors about me, but I can't spread rumors about you? What gives one person the right to spread a rumor they heard and decided is true, but also gives them the right to be upset if someone else did the same thing? Facts, people!! Both sides of the story are important.

     And also, think about value. You may value your possessions, but they matter more if you know where they came from. If your mother gave you a scarf(and yes it is a stupid example) at the exact same time that you purchased an identical one, you would value yours more. Yes, your mother took the time to buy it for you, and you did the same. But you remember how you got the money. Your mother knows the story behind her paycheck. You don't. But you do know the story behind yours; you remember walking the dog for $10, doing chores for $15, (and yes this is an expensive scarf with seemingly high value) and mowing the lawn over and over for $20. You remember denying yourself other things to get this scarf. You know the story.

     Other objects may have higher value, not just because of the monetary price. A Fair Trade (look them up here: http://www.crsfairtrade.org/) ornament has more value than that 'thing' you got at Target because it was on sale. The thing? You have no idea who made it, or why. But the ornament? By buying that, you are helping someone work his or her way up in the world, who might not otherwise have the chance.

     So, take the time. Take the time to know the story. Know why someone is laughing, or why they're upset. Take the time to think about value. Is this story more important than someone else's good day? Is the two extra dollars on a cup of coffee to support cancer research less important than buying a bag of chips later? Everything has value. Take the time and find it.