Ok, before I am crucified for having an opinion on a controversial topic, read to the end to understand the relevance.
Two years ago I gave blood and the worker completely botched the whole needle thing. Consequently, I haven’t given blood since. Until today.
About an hour and a half ago I discovered the ‘vampires’ were on campus asking for donations. A few of my good friends had donated and the horrible thought crossed my mind: maybe you should, too. I shuddered at the thought given my last experience.
Then another thought went through my head: you talk so much about wanting to help people, why don’t you do something? I shuddered again. No, there’s no reason to do that. I smile, that’s enough for a day. Why would I subject myself to such as potentially painful experience again? (I had bruises on both arms for two weeks from my last experience.) But that thought kept coming back: just do it, think of the potential for good.
So I did it. I went and lined up, signed my life away and found myself tipped back in the chair. And then he stuck me. The flash of fire in my forearm was. . . not as bad as I remembered. Hmm. That’s funny. Maybe this isn’t so bad.
And five minutes later (my vampire’s fastest victim of the day) I was all done. My bag was full. I had done my good deed for that moment and I had succeeded in putting my homework off for an hour and a half.
Reflecting back on it, it is much like those times we get impressions to do something and then fight them. It’s the choice we always make: either we follow (and see the blessings that can come) or we fight or ignore the prompting and end up regretting it.
I followed this one and I see the brief fire as an acceptable price to pay to give life to three people. It worked for me. Choose life.