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Episode 1: Diamond in the Rough
(Part 4)
A few days had passed since they had spoken, and Crystal had almost written Allison off.
She new knew she didn't like the situation and had no reason to trust Allison.
However ... The bills weren't going anywhere, and food was in short supply around her place.
Crystal thought about pulling a small job, just enough to get back to treading water, and hopefully shut the collectors up.
She packed a kit to take out that evening but couldn't make herself do it.
Crystal cussed Allison ... As awful as that woman was ... Allison had made a dent.
With her hand on the doorknob Crystal was faced with what was her choice ... And her choice alone.
She could either stay on the course she was on ... Or find another direction.
The following morning Crystal did what she thought she could never do ... She went to see Allison.
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Crystal stopped several times on the way to Allison's house, threatening to turn back and find another option.
Each time, she fought with herself, struggling to find reason to replace the excuses.
Finally she mustered the courage to ring Allison's doorbell and when Allison answered ... Crystal just let it go.
"When we first spoke, you said you were going to be candid ... And I don't really know what that means.
But I think I know what it might means ... And I am going to give it a try.
I don't want to like you ... I don't want to trust you ... But I don't want to keep doing what I have been.
No lie ... I am broke, could sell everything I own and still not be out of debt.
My fridge is empty, I didn't have the gas to drive here ... And I cannot even make myself do what I know I can do.
I don't understand it ... Why did you call me ... What did you do to me?
I was fine robbing your house over a week ago ... I cannot make myself do it today."
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For the first time Allsion felt sorry for Crystal and admired her at the same time.
She knew exactly what Crystal was going through ... And to Crystal's surprise, found the words almost immediately.
Allsion laughed catching Crystal by surprise, before taking on a more subtle tone and speaking.
"It took a lot of courage for you to come here and confront me ... Say what you just did.
That's also tied to the way you feel about yourself and why all of a sudden you don't see yourself stealing.
You see ... Above all else ... Thieves and criminals are cowards.
Oh ... They may have an excuse for what they do ... But it's just an excuse.
The real deal is that they foster insecurities that compel them to find an easier way.
They take from others without consideration for what it took for their victims to earn it.
They do it for their own gain and no other reason in almost all circumstances.
That's not you Crystal ... You're not a coward."
Crystal choked up, didn't know what to say and got a little misty.
Allison broke that down pretty quick ... Told Crystal to change into a swimsuit and meet her by the pond.
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Crystal was relieved that what she thought was going to be a terrible situation looked like it might not be so bad.
She had no idea what Allsion was thinking ... But her stomach convinced her to at least play along.
Soon she arrived out by the pond ... And Allsion was there smiling like nothing was wrong.
"You said you don't want to like me ... I don't care and haven't given you a real reason to.
You said you don't want to trust me ... You were robbing my house when we met, and again, I don't care.
What I do care about is where we go from here ... Today, not yesterday.
Not your past transgressions ... Not your terrible childhood ... Just me, you, and this pond.
There's an old saying that goes ... Give a man a fish and feed him for a day.
Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.
Grab a rod and let's learn how to catch dinner ... You won't go home hungry.
More importantly ... You'll earn it."
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The two spent the afternoon fishing ... Allison giving pointers on how to present the bait.
They discussed the different types of fish in the pond, and well as techniques.
Over time Crystal started catch on ... And catching fish ... She was a quick learner and good study.
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As evening came, and with the two possessing a respectful bounty ... Dinner had waited long enough.
Allison told Crystal she would make dinner ... And gave Crystal a book to read while she did.
They then had dinner, resorting to chit-chat ... And Crystal almost forgot Allison was still the big mystery.
They cleaned up after dinner, something Crystal respected ...
Changed clothes and met in the den to wrap things up the day.
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Allison had given Crystal a book explaining Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs ...
And asked Crystal what she thought about it.
"I don't know Allsion ... It was bit over my head.
I mean I can read ... But I don't know what I was supposed to think about it.
The best I could tell, all human beings have a certain set of needs they must fill.
How they fill those needs determines where they are and what their opportunities are."
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Allison was pleased ... It hadn't been a wasted exercise.
"Crystal ... That's exactly it in a nutshell ... Don't cut yourself short.
At the base of Maslow's Hierarchy are some of a human's basic needs.
There's the need for food, shelter, and security ... They are paramount and cannot be ignored.
If a person fails to adequately provide for those ... Then they become trapped and cannot progress.
Failure leads to insecurities and security is one of the basic needs.
Insecurities throw off the way you balance things, justify things in your mind and essentially choose your actions.
We are all bound to these things ... It is part of our survival and is ultimately inescapable.
When you came here this morning you expressed the fact that those basic needs were not fulfilled.
You also told me that you didn't want to maintain the status quo ... You don't have to and I can help.
No one is perfect or immune to it ... We all fail from time to time.
None of that has anything to with an emotional response ...
And it is the key to how we as human beings, and within our nature. actually progress.
Everything else is a distraction, an excuse or a desire to find an easier path.
Ignoring those simple necessities ... Or substituting altruism for real security ...
Will shackle you to the lowest common denominator.
The easy way ... Will rob you of your ambitions, aspirations and the desire to pursue excellence.
We all face these obstacles ... Environment can make a difference but is not the determining factor."
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Crystal wasn't sure she understood everything Allison was talking about ... But didn't feel like she could argue with it.
She was sure she misjudged Allison to a degree ... Although she wasn't comfortable with her yet.
They talked a little more about it before Crystal decided to call it a night and go home.
The whole time Allison was eager to share ... Sometimes she was sympathetic.
In any case Crystal was certain they would speak again ... And Allison was not pressuring her in any way.
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