Monday Morning Punch

Have you ever thrown away everything for something you believed in? When these times come, it's hardly ever logical, but what's that got to do with it?

I have a cousin who quit his job to go to the US to do, well, something. At that time, I don't think anyone, including himself, knew what he wanted to do. But he dropped everything and moved. His mom, of course, was against the whole idea. Why throw away something good.

Well, you don't win the lottery without buying a ticket. The courageous few – or quite possibly, the hopelessly naïve - take chances. It's not for everyone. Some of us are so risk averse we simple won't jump into murky water. But who's to say who's correct? So long as you're happy, right?

Yes and no.

Yes because I understand why people hang on to boring jobs and relationships. Not everyone wants excitement. Some people long for stability and security. The job is not exciting, but it pays well. Your partner doesn’t make your heart bounce, but companionship and being with someone you trust are important things too. Some people are pragmatists, taking things as they come and making the best of the choices available to them. These may be people who don’t want extreme passion and expression of love. Maybe they long for the simplicity of routine. Best of all, you know how things will turn out. For those of you who are risk takers who don't understand the last sentence, here's something to think about: If you think knowing the ending spoils the entire story, why did you go see the Titanic?

Not because I like taking certain risks. Not everything and not quite all the time, but I take my fair share.

"Alley, can I ask you something?" Harry said as he took Alley aside. "You can't win the lottery if you don’t buy a ticket, so here goes: Will you consider going out with me?"

Harry was already set to marry Martha that Friday and there he was, asking Alley out. He couldn't help it, he said. Harry's a good judge of character, and he figured Alley’s a wonderful person who he can get along with. Martha is, well, nice. "I trust her," said Harry.

"Well," said Alley, "trust is good." Harry said that Alice is a special friend he can rely on. She's always there. She's dependable. She's also convenient. Maybe, Harry thought, he wouldn't run after her if she stopped going after him. It's not that he didn't care about her. He does. But maybe he's mistaking gratitude for love. Martha pours her life into taking care of Harry. She polishes his ego and his need for attention. She's there when he's afraid to be alone.

"Companionship is important too," Alley said.

"True, but I don't know. There's something missing. Magic, maybe. She's important to me, but, well… Objectively, Alley, what would you do?"

"I'm the wrong person to give advice. I'm not even involved with someone now, so maybe that's a reflection of how I do in relationships. But Harry, if it were up to me, I'd follow where my dream takes me. It takes a lot of courage to do this. But me? I will look for that person who can make my heart bounce. Somewhere out there, there’s someone who can get me excited, someone who I look forward to being with every day."

Harry decided to break his engagement with Martha. Martha confronts Alley.

"You're idealistic Alley," said Martha. "There's nothing inherently wrong with that. It's romantics like you who keep our hopes and dreams alive. But realistically, who else will take care of Harry? Who else will love him the way I do? Look at him Alley, then look at me. People like us don't get many chances to have someone fall in love with us. It's wonderful to think that there is someone out there who will make your heart bounce. But what if no one's there? What if you wait and no one comes?"