I want what I do to be pleasing

There, I said it

But before you celebrate

Let me just point out

That wanting people to be pleased

With what you do

Is not necessarily the same thing

As wanting them to be pleased with you

And before you say I’m splitting hairs

It’s just this simple

I can desire that you be pleased

by an experience

or an encounter

or a product

or a word

that comes from my mouth or my hand without desiring

wanting

craving

Or needing you to be pleased with-me.

Do you see?

Think of it this way

There are people who don’t believe

there is anything all that

pleasing

unique

superlative

gifted

or precious

in themselves,

but they still want

to give you something

wrapped in pretty paper

that will make you enjoy a moment.

Without needing you to enjoy them.

I don’t need you to be pleased with me

I just want you to receive pleasure