Treat Others Better Than You Treat Yourself

Another day of intense work in Harrisburg, sitting on a panel of 16 math/science teachers, administrators, and college professors working to recommend a "cut score" to PDE for the new 4-8 teacher certification tests.

Really interesting, but sitting all day long while every about 1.5 to 2 hours the Hilton Harrisburg staff would bring in more snacks and treats for us became a real challenge.  They also provided a plethora of food for lunch (I ate breakfast at home every morning, so I skipped that part).  First, I needed to make sure I didn't go hog wild with all the food; second, I am not used to sitting all day long.

I decided that since today was so nice, before I went home I'd go for a run in Harrisburg, which has a really nice riverside run/walking/bike path and has a footbridge to take you across the water to City Island, which is a huge island in the middle of the Susquehanna river.  I was dressed to run and got into the elevator to put my bag in my car.

One of the guys in the elevator asked if I was going for a run, I said yes.  Another one of the guys, in a nice suit, chuckled, "Run..." he said, "I haven't run since I was being chased by the cops." He laughed, as though he had thought of a clever joke.  I have to admit, in my mind I thought, don't worry, I don't think anyone would mistake you for a runner.

There was another panelist who was trying to lose weight, so she was on a restrictive diet.  She explained it as 4 levels, each 17 days long.  She was on the first level, so she was not allowed to eat any carbs, but all the chicken and turkey she wanted.  I only bring her story into this because on some of these days, all she could eat was a salad, and she had to get the staff to bring out oil and vinegar so that she could have dressing.  She ultimately needed to have special meals, as her diet was not on the menu.

I'm not exactly endorsing her diet, nor am I excusing my own snarky thinking, but it does remind me of when I started to lose weight.  We'd go out to special dinners, receptions, parties, etc and have to pick through the available food.  We'd go out to eat and have to be very meticulous about what we ordered.  I'm used to the feeling of being a bother to someone else when needing special provisions so that I can eat the healthier foods.  At first, it is very difficult and you feel like you're sticking out, but after a while, you get used to it.

The same thing happens when you prioritize your workouts.  Others simply do not understand.  Whenever I ride my bike, inevitably I tick off some motorist- they drive too close, honk their horn, yell out the window.  Go for a walk- people stare.  Go for a run- comments from passers by, motorist not too happy to share the road.  Talk too much about it and you seem to alienate people, inspire them, or make them feel inferior.

It has never been my intention to look down on others who aren't committed to personal health, because I've been there, and I know what it's like to see other people doing things that, really, I wish I would do.  So, the comments fly, the "clever" jokes are told, the horns honk, the people stare.  My biggest issue is to remember where they are coming from, not to judge them, and to just keep my eyes on the road and keep going.

Treat others better than you treat yourself, try not to look down on them because their values don't match up with yours.  Live your life in peace, recognizing that, if you're reading this, you probably want to or already have a commitment to health- not everyone around you will.  Make this lifestyle your priority, and let others do their thing- you never know what's going on inside their head, and if you leave yourself open to conversation, you may learn something.

You may be the only person in their life who is committed to health, and your successes may actually help them to see their own possibilities.  You may become the inspiration to others, and if you judge them too harshly, you may be just another discouragement in their life.

February 22 is just around the corner and that starts the 40 day challenge.  Starting February 22, cut one damaging behavior out of your life (whether if be a food, a drink, smoke, etc) and add one healthy behavior (food, exercise, prayer, etc).  Make it something big.  Then, after 40 days, if you want to go back to doing whatever it is you gave up, then go back- it's only 40 days!