In my Mother-in-law’s house, auctions are part of holiday festivities. They take place during Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter but have known to pop up randomly like dandelions in your yard. Friends and family bring dusty department store shopping bags and leftover copy paper boxes filled with “treasures” they no longer treasure. For a price (be the first to raise your hand or voice) the item on the docket can be yours.
Uncle Tim and I have a similar take on the matter. We also have a similar response.
We heckle.
“You’re not actually going to pay that much, are you?”
Remember, this stuff is free to a good home.
I know this is unproductive and even bordering on being a bad sport. If you know my take on garage sales, you aren’t surprised. For all my emphasis on being kind and supporting the dreams of others, I can be a real astronaut sometimes. (Don’t overthink this one.)
In my hypocrisy is a point, isn’t there?
What if actual auctions worked that way? I think it would be hilarious. Uncle Tim might, too. Then we’d be invited to check out the sidewalk with two fellas who have a hard time buttoning their blazer. But this will never happen because hecklers don’t go to auctions for a reason. They’re not welcome. You have to be willing to participate positively to hold your seat.
That, or shut up and watch.
I’ve been heckled before. Once by a barker perched in a tower at a carnival. You know you’ve hit rock bottom when this happens. I’ve also been heckled by critics who think they know my business better than I. Perhaps they do. Then there are those who think what I write is drivel. Perhaps it is. The quality of my work isn’t the point. Neither is the quality of the items in our holiday auctions.
The participation is the point.
When you come across someone giving their all, participate positively. They don’t need a critic. They don’t need someone smarter than them or cooler than their idea. Even if it’s complete oblivion. Participate. Make it better. Push them closer to their destiny. Or sit there in silence. You don’t have to like something you don’t. Just don’t be an astronaut about it. You might even learn something. (Like how easy it is to make someone smile.)
The world has plenty of hecklers. What we need are more people willing to participate.
People like that guy a lot more, don’t they?
