I am a contradiction of extremes

 

[image credit: geralt on pixabay.com]

I am a contradiction of extremes. 

 

I love books, travel, learning. 

But I am frugal as a miser when it comes to many things that I consider non-essential. 

 

Fancy furniture, fine china, expensive silverware - mean nothing to me.

In my house - I have one cup, and one wine glass. 

 

I would walk through fire to save a friend or a loved one.

But I will cut someone off in a heartbeat if I deem them to be a lazy deadbeat liability - or if they lie, cheat, or steal. 

 

In elementary school, I would skip lunch - so I could save some change to buy books.

But I've gone into debt to buy experiences. 

 

I have a hard heart.

But music, a song, poetry, or the written words of a story - can stir my emotions in ways that exceed my own comprehension. Tears can come easily, when my heart is moved, for I am deeply susceptible to the beauty enshrined in ideas.

 

I care little for material possessions. Fancy houses, cars, and clothes mean nothing to me.

But I am entranced by the beauty of a thought expressed in some artistic form. 

 

Fine wines and food mean nothing to me.

But I can distinguish the most exquisite differences in the quality of a simple dish like fried rice - between different restaurants.

 

I abhor crowds and meaningless cocktail party conversations.

But I can talk with a stranger until the sun comes up - discussing the things that are essential.