Yes, Humility is a definite requirement for an open mind, but we must never mistake a lack of confidence, which "weakens" us, for humility, which "teaches" us.
I'll never forget the day I saw a dream walking. Her name was Susie Summerville (name changed to protect the fantastic). Her smile, which sparkled beneath twinkling eyes, was electric and made people who received it (especially guy-type people) feel very special.
While her physical beauty was astounding, it was her invisible qualities I shall always remember. She really cared about other people and was an extremely talented listener. Her sense of humor could brighten your entire day. Her wisdom certainly belonged to someone far older than she and was like having a subscription to "Inspiration Daily."
Susie was not only admired, but also genuinely respected by members of both sexes. With everything in the world to be conceited about, she was extremely modest and never had a harsh word to say about anyone.
Needless to say, Susie Summerville was every guy's fantasy. Especially mine. I got to walk her to class every day. Once, I even got to eat lunch with her all by myself. I felt on top of the world for the rest of the afternoon.
I thought, "If only I could have a girlfriend like Susie Summerville, I'd never even look at another female. But I felt that someone as outstanding as Susie was probably dating a guy from the universe of Krypton or at least the most popular boy at our school. I was student body president at the time, but I just knew I didn't stand a ghost of a chance; she was too far above me.
So, upon graduation, I gazed at my impossible dream for one final time.
A year later, I met her best friend in a shopping center, and we had lunch together. With a lump in my throat, I asked how Suzie was.
"Well, she got over you," was the reply.
"What are you talking about?" I asked.
"You were really cruel to her the way you led her on. You were always walking her to class and making her think you liked her. Do you remember the time you had lunch with her? Well, that weekend she stayed by the phone all the time because she was sure you were going to call and ask her out."
I don't think this story needs a moral, but I will supply one, nevertheless. I was so afraid of rejection, I never risked letting her know how I felt.
Suppose I had asked her out and she said, "No." What's the worst thing that could have happened? I wouldn't have had a date with her. Well guess what? I DIDN'T HAVE A DATE WITH HER ANYHOW!
So this story can have some value. Please, if ever you are in the presence of the one you feel to be your dream, WAKE UP so you can find out if it is indeed a dream, or whether your dream is actually your reality.
P.S. I'm still a bachelor.
For all sad words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are those "It might have been."
— John Greenleaf Whittier
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