Reality?

Last weekend I was in San Francisco and took a ten mile run along the bay. It was a beautiful sunny day with temperatures in the 50s. There were hundreds of tourists visiting Fisherman’s Wharf and plenty of residents out walking dogs, playing soccer and just having a good time. I remember thinking a number of times along the way – it’s January and these people are out on the beach playing. This weekend I am back in my home. There was six inches of snow last night. The woods are beautiful with the new fallen snow but it is well below 50 degrees. My run, if it happens, will be on a treadmill at a local health club.

Two weekends, two realities. A reminder of how different reality can be for different at any point in time. When we think we understand, and that we have all the answers, remember that each of us is living in our own reality. Yes, there are commonalities that stretch across not only state but international borders. But, at the same time, we can never assume that we fully understand another’s situation. It is good to imagine what it would be like to be ‘in their shoes,’ but that caution when it comes to communicating to never use ‘you’ in describing feelings and emotions applies fully. Speak from your own experience, without interpreting someone’s situation by telling them how they feel – their reality may be different from yours!
Judy Warner