| Before all the “I Love Snowball” entries flood in, I need to say that my weekend was wonderfully meaningful to me without it, partially because I didn’t go. There—I said it. If you are on too much of a Snowball-high right now and don’t want to be offended, it would be best if you didn’t read what I’m about to write.
With the exception of a few details, my weekend may sound like yours: Much of it involved being away from home and away from family. I’ve had a lot of time with friends, both close and new, and I've gained a new perspective on certain issues (including Snowball) as a result. I’ve acted silly almost all weekend, in three distinct loving environments. None of them was a structured camp specifically designed to carry out the purpose of developing emotional connections and new ideas, yet that was still accomplished for me nonetheless.
This weekend, I shared hugs, self-affirmation, emotions, viewpoints, love, fun, and important discussions with many people that I care a lot about. We don’t need a special program on a specific date to do this. I know that my current impression of Snowball is biased, because I’ve never been and don’t have a right to criticize what sounds like an immensely positive influence on our lives. But that immensely positive influence can be found in places other than something dubbed an “operation”, because it shouldn’t require an operation in the first place.
If you have a different response, I’d love to hear it and talk to you about it—of course, I’m still learning too—but tonight I’ll be gone to another everyday loving atmosphere with more everyday loving people. But there’ll always be other everyday loving times, right?
Edit on 4/25/06 at 9:02 pm: To those who don't agree with this entry--You hopefully already understand my position. If not, I won't try to push it farther--you can interpret it any way you like, and that won't change my actual intentions and perspectives (which are written completely word-for-word above--I mean exactly what I've said, and nothing else). I appreciate everything that everyone has mentioned so far...but will someone please point out to me where I'm criticizing Snowball in this entry? Maybe I'm missing something, but I've reread my words countless times now and still fail to see this "anti-Snowballism" you're referencing.
Edit on 4/28/06 at 6:06 pm:
Apparently some people want me to reword what I thought was obvious all along, so here goes: It's true that I've never been to Snowball. However, it's very easy to see the results in those around me. The message of Snowball is clearly a meaningful, powerful, and beneficial one. I do not and never will doubt that it has had a positive effect on the life of every single participant. That said, why do we as individuals hesitate to apply the same love, understanding, optimism, hope, etc to the rest of our lives? Why do we have to specifically single out only two short weekends per year to do this? Why do we seem to keep it in so much during the other 359 days? Please tell me that you know why we tend to hide what's in our heart until we're reminded to show it.
One more thing: This is not an apology, nor is it an expression of regret for what I've written, nor an attempt to resolve any conflicts. I won't take anything back, because it's to no one's credit or fault that you see my ideas in whatever way you do. However, I'm not willing to argue with you--If you are mortally offended by what I have to say, don't read it. You can tell me what you think and I'll always be happy to listen, but that only works if you're willing to listen to me as well.
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