Footprints in the Snow

 

 

Recently, while sledding in our newest blanket of snow, I saw an interesting sight that left me thinking. I found myself peering at several paths of footprints in the snow. I myself had made my own path, as walking in the other footprints proved to be too difficult; I kept slipping and losing my balance in the  existing footprints. But, the person I was with easily walked in a path made by another person.

My head ran away with this.  This feels like an analogy for life.  Some people walk in the paths of others, other people make their own way. But, wait, there is another way to interpret this, a way that focuses on empathy and understanding; walking in another’s footprints to understand their experience, their life, their emotions. This was all right in front of me, practically hitting me over the head with its obviousness, yet I was still struck with its profoundness and relevance. This is my very journey, to more fully understand others around me, their experience, their life, their emotions. This is why I have chosen understand as my one word journey.

The person I was with very easily “walked in another’s path”.  Some people can very easily empathize with another’s journey and struggle, and better understand their perspective.  Others stay focused on making their own path.  For me, the journey to understand is to symbolically walk in another’s path; to better understand their perspective, their experience, their emotions.  Walking in another’s path proved to be difficult for me on that snowy hill that day.  But, I will continue my one word journey to understand, unsteady footing and all.

Until next time…..

School Bus

Today, as I was rushing to get through the streets of New Haven, I got stuck, stuck behind a school bus. My thoughts began to yell inside my head. Please, no. Please do not put your red lights on. Please do not flip that stop sign out.

Then, the bus began to flash it’s red lights. Next, the stop sign snapped dutifully into position. A deep sigh filled my car, rather loudly. As I watched, the following scene unfolded before me.

A girl, about 15 years old, was helped off of the bus by presumably her father. He carefully held her arm, as she held his, and they began walking towards their home. Then, they paused for a moment. Does she need a break, need to rest? No, that’s not it at all. What I see touches me deeply. I see them both carefully looking at a piece of artwork she had brought home with her. They each point at different parts of the picture on the paper. Then, he looks into her eyes , and she into his. The warmth of their connection snaps me back into reality. All at once I am embarrassed at my pettiness in my rush to get past the bus. My rush to pass this, when this is what life is all about.

I just know that my rushing, my lack of attention to the world around me, I mean the important stuff, is such a missed opportunity, an opportunity to learn, to better understand. I so desire to better understand. I must make an effort to slow down and observe, take it all in. This will help me to understand, others, the world, myself.