invest.

  What does it mean to invest? In my short 18 years of experience, I have found that it means to give of something important, voluntarily, knowing fully that there may not be a return in order. Stock brokers understand this. Every day they put the fate of a large sum of money into the hands of a company that may or may not succeed. It seems like humans continue to lower their intelligence by entering into this type of trade. To our demise, we set ourselves up to win big or lose it all within a matter of minutes. 

  The only answer that I can muster is that the hope of winning or out-weighing the odds overcomes the fear of defeat. People make this large-sum investment not only in stocks but in various aspects of life. We put hope into people, the economy, traditions, a country or the government counting on the fact that all of these things "could" turn out well. Investing in people would have to take first place in comparison to other things. It is personal. Instead of green paper falling from your pockets, your heart, emotions, and feelings are left in a vulnerable place of loneliness or fear. The return, or lack of, is much harder to handle. 

  So why do people just not have friends? Why do people invest in an almost assured return of nothing? One must decide that the risk is more rewarding than safety. It takes a great deal of courage to be a friend. At times I struggle in thinking I am a good one. I have to be selfless. Relationship leaves no room for  selfish ambition. Daily, I work on being strong enough to be revealed. A pleasant return one week is followed by the lack of feeling or requited love. No longer a hermit, I am crawling out of my shell.  Friendship is worth it; the belief of being worthy to have friends is too.

Currently Listening: "Jezebel" by Iron & Wine