The weather has been absolutely divine here in South Florida–especially in the mornings. So today, I decided to take my morning workout outside to enjoy it.
I wasn’t the only one with that idea. My running trail was filled with walkers, joggers, runners, and crawlers (people barely moving)! One of my favorite things to do when running outside, is the chance I get to waive and say hello to the others along the way.
I don’t know what it is about greeting a complete stranger while you’re on your journey that is so exciting to me. Maybe becuase it encourages me to keep going, or because it reminds me that I’m not alone.
This morning, as I passed those who were walking, some who were pausing and others who were dashing through the park like an Olympic runner, I had a BLOG moment.
We are all in different places in our journey. Some of us are sprinting, some of us are pausing–some of us are seasoned and some are just beginning.
At no point in my run was it appropriate for me to compare my pace with anyone else’s. I had no knowledge of why the young girl was walking at a slow pace or how much training went into another’s incredible pace! All I knew, was that they were on a journey. For some, it was their first day trying this whole excersise thing and for others, it has been a part of their routine for months, maybe even years.
How quickly we can assume, judge or categorize others by the moments/ sometimes even seconds we share as we pass them in this journey called life. How easy it is for us to compare our pace/performance with theirs, having no clue what it took them to get where they are.
Today reminded me to not judge, assume or compare others, but instead, to simply enjoy their company along the way. To be kind, smile & say hello. To give them a nod that says, “You got this! Keep going!” We are all trying our best. We are all facing storms, challenges and victories along the way that make our story, our journey appear one way or another.
So, as you walk, crawl, run or sprint your way through this season, remember some of us are just beginning, some of us are in the middle, and some of us are cooling down from a very tough season of life. Let’s be kind, not rush to judgment or assumption–we have no idea what they are walking/running or even crawling their way through.
TRUTH: We are not all in the same place in our journey.
DARE: Let’s not rush to judgement or assumption–instead let’s be kind & encourage others.
