The Story Spark this week was – Be the Thing.
We had to create a piece from the perspective of an inanimate object.
Reflections on a Snowflake
It is said that no two snowflakes are alike. That’s not true when we get started, but as we grow and become more complex, depending on the conditions, we are all different. We become the unique me.
Being a snowflake is exciting. As I grow, I can become anything I want to be. It’s unlikely you will get to see the real me. My kind always ends up with others, or comes into contact with something warm, and just turns back into the water vapor and dust that started us out.
Being different is special. Some people enjoy the beauty of each of us as we fall from the sky. It makes me feel good to be appreciated for my uniqueness.
We like working together even more.
We can be a powerful force, if we want to. We can take on your world and destroy the things you hold dear – your houses, your roads, your way of life. In general, we do not like doing that, even though we know we can. We know that the aftermath of those actions is costly to you and makes our lives shorter as you rid yourself of each of us to rebuild.
What we prefer to do is to make this world beautiful. We gather together our unique selves and create snow-covered vistas of beauty. Who doesn’t like those wintery scenes of snow-laden trees, blanket-covered snow fields and streets, on a quiet moonlit evening?
Of course, there are those who disapprove of our beauty. Those who want to tarnish or destroy our image. Those who prefer to yellow our snow with their vile discharges. Those who, through the need to get to where they are going, spew out darkness and blacken our beauty with their vehicles’ exhaust. Those who feel it is more important to rid themselves of our collective work and throw dirt and salt on us, not only destroying us, but over time destroying their own roads and environment.
On the bright side, there are those who use our strength to create artistic sculptures together – your snow people, your snow forts, even your snowballs that are used for play. There are those who use us as building blocks in cold climates to provide insulation and warmth.
We are much alike, you and I. We are all unique. We are willing to work together to make this world a better place. We are also capable of working against each other when we form groups that treat those who are different with anger, distrust, hatred, and violence. We have blizzards, and you have wars.
I know where I stand as I fall slowly toward your Earth and join up with my fellow snowflakes. I want us all to work as one to make my world a better place. I want acceptance, tolerance, and beauty to be my legacy as I honor the qualities I believe in and create the vistas and world I will live in, no matter how long my existence lasts.
What about you? What kind of world do you want to exist in? And, how will you allow acceptance of differences, respect for each other, and the protection of your future guide you?
