Kids run to them, expecting a thrill of cold water splashed on them. Adults either avoid them like the plague or begrudgingly sit in them (watching their kids) with a poncho on.
What if you didn't know where a splash zone was? What if you could randomly get splashed as you're going through your day to day?
This happened to me tonight.
Some friends and I were craving a late night snack, so like any stereotypical group of college kids, we went to Taco Bell.
After enjoying my delicious soft-shell taco, I was listening to my friend tell a story. He was really into its delivery and was incorporating hand and eventually entire arm movements. Without realizing it, he knocked over his cup of ice water, onto my pants.
I literally experienced the repercussions of someone else's splash. I was in the splash zone.
This got me thinking, who gets hit by the puddles that I splash in? While he had no intention of getting me soaked and freezing, I experienced the result of my friend's spontaneity. Do I unknowingly splash others when I am living in the moment?
This makes me think twice about jumping into puddles.
In the end, we had a funny story to tell. We had a good laugh. And I had a cold walk home.
I guess we never know how our splashes will affect others. It could get them wet, uncomfortable, and even angry. It could also be a well needed splash of humor, a good story, or even a wake up call.
I guess it is good to make sure you splash appropriately. Just as you shouldn't jump in a puddle right next to someone, you shouldn't act spontaneously at another's expense. Living in the moment, jumping in a puddle, can have negative repercussions. You have to make sure that you think of how your actions can negatively impact others. Give them a splash zone. But if you don't know they are close enough to get wet... it just may be the splash that they need.
A very nice warning here! Sometimes our zeal splashes others inappropriately! I hear ya.
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