Now don’t read that title and be put off. I’m not writing this post so that I can ramble into a lecture about good people vs. bad people. I’m simply here to let you know that being thoughtful always comes back around.

I consider myself a thoughtful person. I don’t know if people who know me believe the same, but I’d like to think they do. I remember birthdays, how you like your coffee and all of that mundane crap. Half of it is because I want the person to feel good that they’ve been noticed and the other half is because I’ve been blessed with the trait/flaw of being too observant and find remembering these simple little “things” about people to be second nature. I’m not complaining, I enjoy it. But sometimes when you’re too thoughtful you expect it in return, and that is unconscious human fallibility, so I try not to take it personally.

Recently I was laid off. Don’t worry, I’m fine. I left the company I was working with on good terms and still adore my old co-workers and boss. The reason I was let go was not at all personal, it was purely business. I understand why he needed to let me go and I respect my boss’ decision wholeheartedly. Did I see it coming? Not at all. Was I upset the very moment I was told “We’re going to have to let you go”, Yes.

I am in the process of looking for a new job, but I’m not in a rush. I refuse to settle, also, I believe this will probably be the last time (for a while) where I have a “summer off”. I’m taking my time off as a way to network and awaken the artist within me. (She fell asleep about 2 years ago). *I posted new artwork in the ever-so-appropriate Artwork section of my blog; check it out.

I’ve been pretty open with being a Redditor. I’m not ashamed. Although anyone who is ashamed about their participation within a forum should really reconsider where and what they’re writing. Over the course of a year I made a friend. We’re Facebook friends now too. He’s a cool dude. He’s married to a pretty lady and has a lot of cute dogs and remodels his home on his own. (Beautiful work by the way) Him and I message back and forth about books.

I don’t have many people to talk with about what I read. My friends generally don’t read books that interest me and vice-versa. (I have zero interest in reading the Something Borrowed series, though I may see the movie if I’m dragged to it) So it’s been real nice being able to rip Max Tucker to shreds and to share opinions on the Sedaris’, oh, and their novels too. We have no pattern of communication but when the messages arrive in my inbox I’m excited. I love recommending books to people. I enjoy seeing if they received the same messages or had the same feelings evoked.

During one of our last book bantering exchanges I made a snide remark something like, “I’ll have a lot of free time to read now, I recently was laid off”. Instead of wallowing in pity for me (which everyone I relay that information to does, to which I reply “please, don’t”) he offered to send me some books. He said he would have just dumped at the library when he was finished with them but if I wanted some new material he’d be happy to send them my way. Stoked.I was especially excited because Reddit had it’s first ever Book Swap and unfortunately I had gotten shafted in the deal.

And then I forgot. I got home from the gym today, was just about to sit down with my crossword puzzle and coffee (I swear I’m 23, I just enjoy the same activities that 70 year-olds do) when the door bell rang. It was the mailman – I was waiting for him because I had ordered crossword puzzles and they had taken so long to arrive. (I can’t even type that without gagging at myself) But there was another package. I read the return address and knew immediately. YES.

So what I’m saying here is – there really are good people. There is no reason that my fellow Redditor had to go out of his way to send 5 books across the country, California to New York. No reason at all. He sent them because he wanted to share these books with someone who would appreciate them. Perhaps it would make me smile because maybe I’m not as okay with not having a job as I present myself to be. (Shameless Plug: Anybody looking for a Marketing Assistant/Account Executive etc???) Either way, it’s something so simple, in my case, a package filled with used books, that can brighten up someones day.

Thanks to Reddit I’ve learned a phrase that really resonated. “Today You, Tomorrow Me”, it’s all Karma, baby!

Books:

The Great Derangement by Matt Taibbi

The Mystery Method; How to Get Beautiful Women Into Bed by Mystery

Hello Kitty Must DIE by Angela S. Choi

The Ivory and the Horn by Charles de Lint

Sixty Stories by Donald Barthelme