On the Generosity of Others

HELP YOURSELF!

Sometimes the generosity of others can be quite overwhelming. People with such big hearts pouring out their love for life for all of us to share in the goodness and bathe in the glory of the world around us. Other times the generosity is less than overwhelming. This is a story about one of those times, although in fairness, perhaps this is more of a commentary about myself that I can’t see goodness and charity for what it is. I’ll let you be the judge…

So, I’m at work today, its early afternoon and I finally wander down to the break room to rinse the cold and stale coffee out of the bottom of my cup. When I walk in the break room I notice a small black banana sitting on the counter top next to the microwave about six inches from the hole where the trash can is. At first I think to myself “someone must have tried to throw that away, but missed” but then I notice that there is a note next to the banana. Now curious I move closer to read the note … HELP YOURSELF it so kindly announces.

So I think to myself…”seriously?” Did someone REALLY put this 3” long miniature banana that is so black it has got to be practically liquid here for one of their lucky co-workers to enjoy, and who is this person? At first I just thought they were some lazy jerk who missed the trashcan, but now? Now I don’t know what to think.

Is this an act of generosity, that I the cynic can’t appreciate? Or, is this some sort of act of spite against the rest of us who work here? Some sort of commentary about how this person feels about this company and those of us who work around them? I guess the mystery will remain unsolved.

Oh, by the way. There is some free food in the break room. Hurry.