Princess Ash
<font color=deeppink>Disney Princess<br><font colo
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2002
- Messages
- 4,026
I wrote this true-story for my English elective:
Pins and Wisdom
Is it not almost unfathomable how a simple phrase from a complete stranger can have such a tremendous impact on ones life? It was one of those oppressively sweltering days where stepping into the sun was like stepping into a sauna. Thats what one gets for going on a family vacation to the Happiest Place on Earth in the middle of July. That is, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida. Mom, Dad, little brother, and I were all headed for the well-deserved soaking at Kali River Rapids in Animal Kingdom. As we were on our way to the Fastpass line, a cast member - a man probably in his late 40s early 50s - was standing at the entrance. Draped around his neck was a lanyard with collectable Disney pins on it. With my matching accessory, I excited ran over to him and, being my pin-obsessed-13-year-old-self, asked to see his. With his obligatory smile, he held them out for me to see.
To my delight, two caught my eyes. One said Hollywood, with little Mickey, Minnie, and video camera charms hanging off of it. The other I noticed was a crash-test car, from none other than my favorite ride: Test Track. After deep contemplation, as though choosing one or the other could mean certain doom, I decided to trade one of mine for the Hollywood one.
I nonchalantly shared with him that I once had possessed the Test Track one myself, but had traded it off. His cartoon-character-like grin changed into an expression of interest. He asked me sincerely, Why? With child-like innocence and oblivion I carelessly responded, Because I was desperate. He studied me for a moment, with a searing look as strong as the suns rays that day, before sweeping his hand back down to his lanyard, removing the pin in question. He handed it to me and looked me in eyes saying with conviction, Never be desperate.
His combination of kindness, generosity, sincerely, and wisdom in his words and actions have followed me throughout my life. His advice told me that I need to settle. I need not ever feel so hopeless that I act foolish. He taught me that I am better than that. From that point on, in any situation I have kept this profound mans words in my heart and mind, Never be desperate.
Pins and Wisdom
Is it not almost unfathomable how a simple phrase from a complete stranger can have such a tremendous impact on ones life? It was one of those oppressively sweltering days where stepping into the sun was like stepping into a sauna. Thats what one gets for going on a family vacation to the Happiest Place on Earth in the middle of July. That is, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida. Mom, Dad, little brother, and I were all headed for the well-deserved soaking at Kali River Rapids in Animal Kingdom. As we were on our way to the Fastpass line, a cast member - a man probably in his late 40s early 50s - was standing at the entrance. Draped around his neck was a lanyard with collectable Disney pins on it. With my matching accessory, I excited ran over to him and, being my pin-obsessed-13-year-old-self, asked to see his. With his obligatory smile, he held them out for me to see.
To my delight, two caught my eyes. One said Hollywood, with little Mickey, Minnie, and video camera charms hanging off of it. The other I noticed was a crash-test car, from none other than my favorite ride: Test Track. After deep contemplation, as though choosing one or the other could mean certain doom, I decided to trade one of mine for the Hollywood one.
I nonchalantly shared with him that I once had possessed the Test Track one myself, but had traded it off. His cartoon-character-like grin changed into an expression of interest. He asked me sincerely, Why? With child-like innocence and oblivion I carelessly responded, Because I was desperate. He studied me for a moment, with a searing look as strong as the suns rays that day, before sweeping his hand back down to his lanyard, removing the pin in question. He handed it to me and looked me in eyes saying with conviction, Never be desperate.
His combination of kindness, generosity, sincerely, and wisdom in his words and actions have followed me throughout my life. His advice told me that I need to settle. I need not ever feel so hopeless that I act foolish. He taught me that I am better than that. From that point on, in any situation I have kept this profound mans words in my heart and mind, Never be desperate.
