The Dust You Leave Behind

It was the day before I was moving to my summer location, and I was finishing up packing and cleaning my old room. As I swept the rediculous amount of dust and dirt accumulated behind my dresser I continued to reminisce to myself about the happenings of the year. Alot of this year had at some point or another reflected back on impressions, and reputations. And as I dwelled upon the concept of reputations I began to struggle with my least favorite part of cleaning. You know that little line you get when you try to get everything in the dust pan, and it just wont sweep away? Well that's my biggest pet peeve. So as my mind detracted slightly from my issues with repuatations, it somewhat met me halfway and made me realize that the obnoxious dust line I work so hard at sweeping away, is much like a reputation in our society. No matter how hard you try to sweep it away or disperse it someone will always be able to point it out. I mean yeah, in real life you can vacuum up the dirt... but can you really vacuum up your reputation. You could accomplish as much as Mother Theresa and people would still remember your previous reputation. You can't just hide it under the rug representing the new you. I have a perfect example... Someone who I have grown incredibly close to these past few months is talked about on my campus and hated on due to his reputation more than Britney Spears. People even said to me when I started spending more time with him "Don't hang out with him, his reputation alone will give you one just from hanging out with him." But obviously I did not listen. And just as I expected his reputation did not preceed him. I learned that he was the most kind hearted, deep person I've ever met. He opened up and said things to me that really made me see this side of him that his reputation could never even reveal and at the least his reputation had been smothering. People ask me to this day why I hang out with him, and why I've become so close to him. I tell them what I have told you, that he isn't what everyone thinks, that I see a different side to him... I try to sweep away that extra dirt for him. But still all people really see is that little line left from a while ago, that we just can't seem to sweep away... It really is unfortunate that we can't seem to move on from things we hear about people, no matter how out dated. But I guess there are two different things you can take out from this story... One is that be careful of the impression and the reputation you leave behind... and the other is that maybe you should get to know the person someone is now before clinging onto the dust that they were way back when. Just think about it.