In January, I met the most interesting person. We happened to be walking in the same direction when our eyes met. It seemed natural to start talking to this person. It’s interesting how easy it is to talk to a stranger. Fears I’ve never told anyone slipped out easily. I learned that he was a chef. He works grueling hours with very little pay. I’m not sure this encounter was the most positive. He was disillusioned. When upper management forced him to fire an employee who did nothing wrong – an employee who happened to be his mentee – he questioned everything. He quit his job. He couldn’t find enjoyment in cooking anymore. It was sad but I wasn’t sad for him. I could see the fire still remaining in his eyes, even if he couldn’t. While we only talked for an hour or so, I felt I really got to know this man. And I realized – everyone is carrying the world on their shoulders. Everyone is disillusioned. Maybe that’s why I liked talking to him. He was real. How many of us mask our pain and pretend to be normal functioning adults?
He didn’t ask for my name, and I didn’t ask for his. We parted ways at the skytrain and I wished him luck. I feel inspired by his story. I want to struggle as much as I can. I want to be able to say I tried my best. I would rather go out kicking and screaming than calmly. Let us all be human and endure it all together. To my skytrain stranger: I’m rooting for you.
liquid guilt 