Maybe

Maybe.  What a wonderful word.  A word full of surprises and hope and dreams. Maybe we'll find each other soon. Maybe this time, I'll be lucky. Maybe a chance of a lifetime, a love of a lifetime, an idea of a lifetime is just around the corner.

Why do I love maybe so? Maybe it's because it lives at the edge of certainty. Maybe doesn't have the bitter taste of No, or Never, or Goodbye.  And Maybe doesn't have the certainty inside of Of Course, Absolutely, or Why Not. Maybe is at the edge. It's the moment before you land the job, win the award, or kiss the girl. Maybe's linger in the air and provide that rush of adrenaline that you get when the outcome is uncertain.

But Maybe can't be taken for granted. You shouldn't say maybe when you really mean no but just can't get the words out. You shouldn't say maybe when you desperately want to say yes, but you're embarrassed, afraid, or too shy. You should save your Maybe's for that moment in time when you really aren't sure if yes or no is the best path. Save your maybe's for when life's little wonders are at the edge of your tongue or the tip of your mind.

So here's my question: "What could you say maybe to tomorrow, next week, next year?" What person, place, thing, love, passion, idea, needs a maybe right now? How would your life change if you let a maybe drift into your world when you've been saying no, or take a breather and instead of committing because you're scared, think a moment and say maybe?  How could a simple maybe, a simple moment at the edge, change everything?

See you on the wire

-- Steven Cardinale