Don't Judge What you Don't Kow

Sometimes, trying to look at a situation from a different perspective will help you to be a more compassionate and appreciative person.  Last week, while out on a trail run, many interesting thoughts came to mind as I became delirious from running in 90+ degrees with high humidity and little air movement, except that caused by myself.  Some of those thoughts will be further developed in my next few postings.  Towards the end of what seemed like the longest four miles I have ever done, we (my brother and I), came across two people walking.  They were smoking.  Instantly in my mind, I judged them for smoking and was disgusted with the fact that I had to run through their cloud.   On my drive home, I thought about this further.  I thought, who am I to judge?  Afterall, these were the only people we had met on the otherwise busy trail.  The temps were hot, and conditions all around uncomfortable, and to be perfectly honest, unsafe for high amounts of exertion.  Yet, they were out walking.  Perhaps, they were out enjoying that they had finally begun exercising or maybe they were celebrating that they had met some health goal.  For all I know, maybe they had lost 25 pounds already.  Really, who am I to judge these people that I knew nothing about?  Maybe these two were trying to get into a healthier lifestyle and this day was getting them down, maybe they were about to quit exercising.  In considering all this, I thought to myself.    Does condemning these people in my mind for smoking help either of us?  No, it does not.  Instead, the next time I find myself in a situation like that, I'll at least smile, say, "Hello," or better yet, give a positive compliment about being out there.  Afterall, you can never know what the depth of impact your actions and words can have on another person.  So why not make it a potentially positive impact!

"Here for a Good Time"

As I ran this morning, I listened to George Strait sing, "Here for a Good Time."  I pondered the words of his song as I came across various people this morning.  

"I am not gonna lay around and whine and mourn for somebody that done me wrong
Don't think for a minute that I am gonna sit around and sing some old sad song
I believe it's half full not a half empty glass
Every day I wake up knowing it could be my last
I ain't here for a long time
I'm here for a good time
So bring on the sunshine, to hell with the red wine
Pour me some moon shine
When I'm gone put it in stone "He left nothing behind"
I ain't here for a long time
I'm here for a good time"

I hear these words as I see someone out enjoying the morning on their porch, then I run through their cloud of second hand smoke.  (Oh, yeah that's delicious to inhale while exercising.)  I reflect on the words of the song again.  "I ain't here for a long time, I'm here for a good time."  Maybe they are having their good times supporting the tobacco industry.  As for myself, I am having a good time by being healthy because I fully hope I am here for a long time and I would rather it be a long time of good health and enjoying my life to the fullest.  

I think further on the words, " So bring on the sunshine, to hell with the red wine
Pour me some moon shine."  This is a holiday weekend as I continue on my way, I wonder just how many people are still sleeping because they chose to indulge themselves in alcohol or too many brats and too much pie the day before.  Maybe they are living thinking they may not be here too much longer, so why not indulge?  Now, I fully believe in living each moment to the fullest.  I also believe in being responsible to keep our bodies healthy so that we can be here a long time, be here for the ones we love.      

I do like Mr. Jones' song very much.  I agree with some of the words.  I do see the glass as half full.  I am here for a good time.  I am also prepared to be here for a long time though.  That is why I will be out there yet again tomorrow morning and the next and so on, exercising and enjoying my surroundings, fully enjoying my day and looking forward to tomorrow!