It's A Small Thing

I haven't posted much lately. I've been busy living life in my new body. More important, I want this blog to be more than how much weight I lost this week and how far I ran tonight. My journey is body, soul and spirit.

This afternoon I was out for a run on a route that took me through some of the less desirable streets in Everett. It's impossible to avoid all the shady characters; cardboard signs, cheep booze and second-hand pot smoke abound along 41st and down Broadway. Normally I look away, but I've been convicted.

Recently I found my path blocked by a couple sprawled across the sidewalk. They saw me approaching at full stride and made no effort to yield. Rather than stop or go around, I hurdled the bodies in my way. I never broke stride and I never responded to the obscenities hurled my direction. I simply continued my run with righteous indignation. The problem is, I've never gotten it out of my mind. What makes me king of the sidewalk? What gives me the right? The truth I've settled on is nothing. Nothing gives me the right.

I've taken a new approach. I try to make eye contact with every person I encounter. Not everyone responds well. Some look away. Some stare back in hate and anger. Some are simply dead; like there's nothing there behind the eyes. Once in a while, people lock eyes with me. When they do I make sure I give them a smile and a wave as I go by. It's simply my way of acknowledging them as a person. It's a small thing that has lead to some pretty big smiles.

I will never again hurdle a bum passed out on the sidewalk.