Wish Dish | Share Your Story

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The Modern-Day Atlas

(Anonymous Submission)

I don’t have a car. I don’t have the cash to go out every single night. I’m not avoiding you. I’d love to take off work and hang out with you and our friend group, but I can’t. Please be my friend anyways.

No.

I can’t come up and visit this summer…I know I said I would, but the plane tickets cost a bit much. I’m sorry. I know you’re mad. I know you’re disappointed. I know this always happens. I know… I know. I’m sorry.

Yes.

I don’t have the luxury of being able to say “yes” to everything. Instead, I look out from behind a glowing window to endless social media posts—all the fun experiences I can’t enjoy.

Each time I say “yes”, the constant burden of my financial situation presses down a bit more. At first, people don’t understand. They get mad, then disappointed, then not surprised at all. Eventually, I don’t see those people anymore, and the weight becomes that much heavier.

Why?

I carry this weight so the constant and ongoing heaviness that bears down on my parents will be that much lighter. Even if I just make the pressure they feel a fraction of a bit less, it’s worth it.

I wish I could make people understand this. I wish I could make people understand that in saying ‘yes’ to some things, I would be putting more stress onto people that I love, people I can’t say ‘no’ to.

Life is too short to wade in self-pity or hang around with people who make you feel worthless. Honestly, friendships based on material things aren’t worthwhile.

People who aren’t afforded the same opportunities as others often come up with the most creative means to work through their own financial obstacles, paving a unique road to success and happiness.

Progress.

Say “yes” to working hard and never giving up on your dreams, to challenging yourself each and every day to push outside your comfort zone, to helping people who are less fortunate than you. Even a smile could brighten someone’s day.

Say “yes” to true friends who like you for the unique person that you are and have your back no matter what, to being a role model for younger kids who might be in similar situations. Show them there is a way out and that money does not define their worth in this world.

Say “yes” to talking with an elderly person that has no one else to talk to. It’ll be one of the most rewarding and interesting conversations you’ve ever had in your life, I promise.

Say “yes” to reaching out to someone who may feel alone, bullied, or depressed.

Say “yes” to the small opportunities because they will enrich your life in ways money will never match.

Gratitude.

Say “thanks” for the support you have from those that unconditionally love you. Don’t take them for granted. Tell them you love them. Pray for them.

Say”thanks” for opportunities you have in our country that some kids the same age can only dream about in another country. Pray for those kids too while you’re at it. It couldn’t hurt.

Say”thanks” for those special moments you share with people. Even if it’s just as simple as a conversation, or smile, or hug, or kiss.

By saying “yes” to the small things and being thankful for what you have, you might just find yourself in a position to say a solid “maybe” to those expensive outings.

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