I barely survived 30 kms, and the last 5 were as ugly as it gets. I'm not sure why, but if you promise not to judge me for it, I promise not to over analyze it.
Not that I would have anything to complain about if you did judge me, I've been doing it to other people most of my life.
Point in case. We've all watched the world class athlete sitting on the track, or the gym floor, or some other sports venue, bawling their eyes out because something went wrong with their performance. They slipped and fell, or they got injured, or just plain screwed up. I've generally judged every one of them as big cry babies who should get a life....or get on with life! My favourite is the guy/girl who's injury I immediately called a fake when they appeared to be losing the competition. After all, what's wrong with these people? Just because they spent the last 3 to 4 years preparing for one moment is no reason to get all shook up!
Night before last I had a dream. I was all ready to start a marathon when suddenly there was a whole bunch of children drowning in a nearby lake. It fell to me to make a decision, because not one other person in the crowd was lifting a finger to help them out. I knew I might jeopardize my race start but with only a bit of hesitation I stripped down and climbed into the cold water. After having saved all the children, and handed them off to other bystanders to take care of, I once more started thinking about my race. But wait! My grandson Colby(where he came from I don't know) was totally insistent that there was one more kid out there somewhere that had drifted out of sight. And I should get out there again and find him! This time I knew I would miss my race start but my what choice did I really have? After a fruitless search for the kid, and after doing a head count, there was a general consensus that Colby was actually mistaken. Then the dream ended, and I woke up without ever running the race. We'll never know how it would have gone.
While I am generally reluctant to do any dream analysis; perhaps because of my cynicism of our ability do do so, I can't help but think this one was related to August 18th. It was a big sporting event that I had prepared for; I decided to be a good Samaritan; my Colby was there to cheer me on; and I never completed the event. There was even a lake with cold water!!
And the connection I'm trying to make? It's been 6 weeks since relatively speaking, that insignificant, little, incident in Quebec, and I'm still dreaming about it!
Who am I then to judge the professional who spent 4 years preparing for the biggest moment of their lives, and then have it all come crashing down, often in a split second?
Oh, but that's me. I have judged people for being losers, or for being winners. I have judged people because they were stupid, or because they were smart. I have judged people because they were bums, or because they were successful. I have judged people for being too old, or for being too young, to be doing what they're doing. I have even judged people for judging people for all of the above things.
I have to accept the fact that there's only one judge! And if it crossed your mind for even a second that I was gonna say GOD, then shame on you! I'm gonna judge you for that.
But no. I mean yours truly, as in each and every one of us. No one but me knows what I've gone through. No one but me, truly knows my fears or inhibitions. No one completely knows my hopes, my dreams, my goals, and as such. no one is qualified to judge me, but me. And if most people are like me, they're harsh enough self critics that they don't need anyone else telling them their shortcomings.
So I'm gonna try to remember that the next time I pronounce the verdict on someone passing through my life. Judge not!
(Run 30 kms, 2:44)
"When we judge or criticize another person, it says nothing about that person; it merely says something about our own need to be critical
“Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods.”---Albert Einstein
Not that I would have anything to complain about if you did judge me, I've been doing it to other people most of my life.
Point in case. We've all watched the world class athlete sitting on the track, or the gym floor, or some other sports venue, bawling their eyes out because something went wrong with their performance. They slipped and fell, or they got injured, or just plain screwed up. I've generally judged every one of them as big cry babies who should get a life....or get on with life! My favourite is the guy/girl who's injury I immediately called a fake when they appeared to be losing the competition. After all, what's wrong with these people? Just because they spent the last 3 to 4 years preparing for one moment is no reason to get all shook up!
Night before last I had a dream. I was all ready to start a marathon when suddenly there was a whole bunch of children drowning in a nearby lake. It fell to me to make a decision, because not one other person in the crowd was lifting a finger to help them out. I knew I might jeopardize my race start but with only a bit of hesitation I stripped down and climbed into the cold water. After having saved all the children, and handed them off to other bystanders to take care of, I once more started thinking about my race. But wait! My grandson Colby(where he came from I don't know) was totally insistent that there was one more kid out there somewhere that had drifted out of sight. And I should get out there again and find him! This time I knew I would miss my race start but my what choice did I really have? After a fruitless search for the kid, and after doing a head count, there was a general consensus that Colby was actually mistaken. Then the dream ended, and I woke up without ever running the race. We'll never know how it would have gone.
While I am generally reluctant to do any dream analysis; perhaps because of my cynicism of our ability do do so, I can't help but think this one was related to August 18th. It was a big sporting event that I had prepared for; I decided to be a good Samaritan; my Colby was there to cheer me on; and I never completed the event. There was even a lake with cold water!!
And the connection I'm trying to make? It's been 6 weeks since relatively speaking, that insignificant, little, incident in Quebec, and I'm still dreaming about it!
Who am I then to judge the professional who spent 4 years preparing for the biggest moment of their lives, and then have it all come crashing down, often in a split second?
Oh, but that's me. I have judged people for being losers, or for being winners. I have judged people because they were stupid, or because they were smart. I have judged people because they were bums, or because they were successful. I have judged people for being too old, or for being too young, to be doing what they're doing. I have even judged people for judging people for all of the above things.
I have to accept the fact that there's only one judge! And if it crossed your mind for even a second that I was gonna say GOD, then shame on you! I'm gonna judge you for that.
But no. I mean yours truly, as in each and every one of us. No one but me knows what I've gone through. No one but me, truly knows my fears or inhibitions. No one completely knows my hopes, my dreams, my goals, and as such. no one is qualified to judge me, but me. And if most people are like me, they're harsh enough self critics that they don't need anyone else telling them their shortcomings.
So I'm gonna try to remember that the next time I pronounce the verdict on someone passing through my life. Judge not!
(Run 30 kms, 2:44)
"When we judge or criticize another person, it says nothing about that person; it merely says something about our own need to be critical
“Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods.”---Albert Einstein
Love
Peter
Great post. I am as guilty as anyone
ReplyDeleteLove happy old john
I agree, great post! Really well said.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Michael
Profound!!!!! Peace , abundance and joy is yours as you continue to heal your inner self. And i as well am Guilty and working with conflict of my ego who thinks its so dam smart and right and my innerself who is seeking, peace and harmony with all..
ReplyDelete