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Amanda Bast
Let's Talk 19

Poopin’ in the Food Court

By Amanda @AmandaMBast · On August 24, 2013


I want to make a difference in the world. Maybe not the entire world, but at least the tiny part of the world I call my own. I want to help, I want to influence, and I want to promote change. I want to do everything I can to impact those around me. That’s why I teach. That’s why I volunteer. That’s why I write. That’s why I try to be intentional with my actions.

Sometimes I selfishly daydream about what I’ll do that makes a lasting impact. Maybe I’ll adopt some children from a third world country. Maybe I’ll go green enough to live off the grid. Maybe I’ll discover some cure for Celiac Disease (and then eat a bunch of bread). Maybe I’ll win awards for my written memoirs. Maybe I’ll make a difference that people actually notice.

Or maybe I’ll just take a dump in the food court.

I saw it happen. A young woman just like me – eager to make a difference. A girl who loves animals and helping people. Probably a bit of a bleeding heart. She decided to raise a guide dog to help those with disabilities. Her intentions were as golden as her pup, and she probably expected it to be a lot of fun. But one day, her dog took a massive dump in the middle of the food court next to the Indian restaurant.

I’ll say this: it was large, it was vile, and the next day I had trouble eating my leftover coconut chicken.

I didn’t mean to, I swear!

The girl was incredibly embarrassed. People were staring. Some were giggling. Most were trying to block out the fact a steaming pile of crap was sitting within a few feet of their lunches. Someone handed her a plastic bag. She scooped it up as fast as possible while the sweet little puppy sprawled out on the floor, wagging his tail, trying to lick his master’s arm. The girl nearly ran out of the mall with the dog in tow, leaving a few streak marks on the tile.

I can’t help but think that crapping in the food court might not be a bad thing. It’s progress. It’s gross and embarrassing, but it doesn’t have to hinder growth. The girl and that dog will eventually make someone’s life richer and easier, despite the fact that they once left poo smears in a public place. They’ll work harder. They’ll train. They’ll put more hours into it. They’ll go from poopin’ in food courts to changing a life.

Despite my longings to improve and make a difference, it’s not going to be pretty. I can do my best to change the world, but reality will at some point kick in and poop where I don’t want it to poop. It’ll be mortifying. It will be a struggle. It will smell and it will be messy. I’ll leave streaks behind.

I have to remind myself that in the times where I feel like my ambitions have squatted in public, that it is indeed something. It’s a risk. It’s growth. It’s a learning opportunity. It’s a step in the right direction. It’s better than wandering aimlessly through life with no end goal. Poopin’ in the food court is better than nothing.

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19 Comments

  • Carmen says: August 24, 2013 at 4:21 pm

    I love this. Because I have such a vivid imagination, I have many daydreams about what my path to goals will look like, and I need to remember that thought it will be GOOD, it will never be easy.

    Reply
  • TMZ says: August 24, 2013 at 5:59 pm

    This was oddly yet beautifully touching. Something I never thought I’d say about anything involving poo.

    So, thank you for the poo.

    Reply
  • Mamabee77 says: August 26, 2013 at 8:32 am

    I agree…this was beautifully touching…you are amazing! I’m really glad I had finished my breakfast before reading this and I will always have this visual whenever I walk through the food court. Thanks?

    Reply
  • Jan Moyer says: August 26, 2013 at 9:46 am

    I knew this was going to be more than just poop, but you made me teary – and only a few other experiences with poop have done that to me.

    Nice job, Katie.

    Reply
    • Mandie Marie says: August 26, 2013 at 11:51 am

      I’m glad the odour of my words was enough to make you tear up.

      Reply
  • myjerusalemkitchen says: September 10, 2013 at 4:46 pm

    So happy I found your blog. I think I’ll take a poop in this classroom just to shake things up. 🙂

    Reply
  • myjerusalemkitchen says: September 10, 2013 at 4:46 pm

    … and wishing I hadn’t typed that.

    Reply
    • Mandie Marie says: September 10, 2013 at 4:55 pm

      It made me for real lol….nice. I like you.

      Reply
  • christinabobina says: September 11, 2013 at 9:43 am

    I’ve only read too of your blogs and I think I’m obsessed with you. How creepy.

    Keep being equally hilarious and awesome!

    Reply
  • christinabobina says: September 11, 2013 at 9:43 am

    Two* It’s early. We don’t have to talk about it.

    Reply
    • Mandie Marie says: September 11, 2013 at 8:41 pm

      Hah!

      Reply
  • Passerby says: September 11, 2013 at 10:58 pm

    Thank you for this wonderful post. Under the cover of silly there is a lot of humanity in this. The drive for perfection is paralyzing. Having a forgiveness for others and for yourself is a necessary part of the process.

    Reply
  • Meghan Rebecca Walter says: September 12, 2013 at 5:56 pm

    Who can make talking about poop sound clever? Who? This is ridiculous. And oddly lovely. I’m sure this post made your family very proud. Keep up the good work. 😉

    Reply
    • Meghan Walter says: September 13, 2013 at 2:18 am

      That was meant as a compliment…in reading it back, it just came out super sassy. I was in awe of how well-written and captivating it is. It’s about poop and yet I left this post feeling encouraged and laughing! 🙂

      Reply
      • Mandie Marie says: September 15, 2013 at 5:29 pm

        Haha…I got it, no worries! My family actually WAS impressed with this one. We’re all weird.

        Reply
  • Trey Buffington says: October 30, 2013 at 10:01 am

    What does a guy have to do to score an interview with you on his podcast?

    Reply
    • Mandie Marie says: October 30, 2013 at 10:54 am

      You’d probably just have to ask and then send me a giant stuffed animal in the mail or something.

      Reply
      • Trey Buffington says: October 30, 2013 at 11:08 am

        I see. Any animal in particular or are you fan of all the animal Kingdom? Perhaps you would like to go on with a mythical creature such as a unicorn or a gremlin.

        Reply
      • Trey Buffington says: October 30, 2013 at 12:21 pm

        But yeah, this is me asking.

        Podcast: breakroomparty.podbean.com

        Email: breakroomparty@gmail.com

        Hope to hear from you.

        Reply

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    Why hello there! I'm Amanda. I do things and write stuff, mainly in that order. That's all you need to know about me. Now let's be best friends. Forever.
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