41st Blog: The Story of the Avocados and My Selfishness

 

About a week ago, my sister, who happens to have an avocado tree in their backyard, generously gave me six large, beautiful avocados. The idea was simple: I’d share them with my brother.

But I didn’t.

Before I get deeper into the story, let me pause and define what I mean. Selfishness is the quality of being concerned only with yourself, with little or no thought for others’ needs or feelings. It’s the unwillingness to give, even when you have enough to go around. In this case, I hit the nail on the head.

Those avocados felt like treasure. All I could think about was making avocado sans rival—a dessert I’d been craving. I didn’t hesitate. Without blinking, I decided: I wouldn’t share them.

Did I end up making that avocado sans rival? Sadly, no. The avocados were still unripe when I received them—vibrant green and hard to the touch. So, I tucked them away in a quiet corner of my kitchen, thinking that in a few days they’d be perfect.

But when I finally checked them, it was too late.

They had rotted.

 

I felt a wave of loss—not just over the wasted fruit, but over the wasted opportunity. Regret sat heavy in my chest, and so did shame. I knew exactly what it was: my greed, plain and simple.

In that moment, I didn’t just feel disappointed in myself—I felt like I’d been quietly, yet pointedly, corrected by the heavens.

It’s strange how something as simple as an avocado can peel back layers of the heart. Sometimes, it’s not about what we gain, but what we withhold—and what that withholding costs us.

Those avocados were a blessing meant to be shared, not hoarded. In choosing to keep them for myself, I ended up with nothing: not the dessert, not the joy, and certainly not the peace.

To my dearest sister Cecile—if you're reading this, I hope you won't be too disappointed about what happened to the avocados. It might seem like a small thing, but it taught me something real: when you cling too tightly to what you’ve been given, it tends to slip right through your fingers.

That said… if your backyard tree happens to be feeling generous again, this slightly more enlightened sister wouldn’t say no.  LOL