You seriously had to take your shirt off?!

Over the summer, we went to Utah for my youngest daughter's soccer tournament. I decided to get up early and workout at the hotel (I know!). I was on the treadmill facing the window, I could see a woman's reflection come through the door. I turned and said, "Good morning." She did not make eye contact and barely said hello. It was obvious that my morning joy annoyed her. 
 

 I wrongly thought that since she was awake before the sun, she was a morning person too. Instead of just allowing her to be in her space, I judged her behavior because I wanted her to be happy with me - could you imagine how successful I would be if I always practiced what I preached? To be fair to me, I did turn around and say to myself, “Not my journey.” 

I continued on the treadmill looking out into the darkness. I observed another person had come in, but did not bother to turn around this time. I kept focused on my run. 

When I was close to done, I turned around and noticed that there was a man working out without his shirt. 

As I turned back around, I said to myself, "I'm the alpha up in here!" I quietly laughed to myself, loving my sense of humor. As I jumped off the treadmill and began to stretch, the serious woman left and the man looked at me and said, “I am so sorry that I'm not wearing a shirt. I forgot all my T-shirts at home and only have dress shirts. I really wanted to be sure to get a workout in.” I empathized and said, “How frustrating. No problem.” 

I laughed at myself again and thought, it is all about perception. He just wanted to jump-start his day with a good workout. I also wondered why he never bothered to explain himself to the other woman.

What was his perception of her? What was her perception of him? And why was I so judgy just because her behavior was different than mine? He comes in without a shirt and I get the giggles. She comes in without a smile and I get upset that my morning sunshine does not make her smile back at me. 

Damnit! Why?! Why did I need her to behave a certain way so that I can feel good? Yup, I know, I was giving my power away. These life lessons are a trip.   

I used to be so much better at this. I hate it when it feels like I go backward. 

What if I just perceived both of them as a beautiful light? 

When things would feel heavy and hard, I would consciously choose to perceive the world around me as I believe it to be on "the other side", seeing everyone and everything as the beautiful light that they are. I would speak to their light from my light. Honoring humans, nature, and even objects. 

Focusing on what IS good brings good feelings. It’s just how the universe works. 

It always comes in layers, doesn’t it? As we step into the light there is another layer. I remind myself that it does not have to be hard. I am reminding you too. We do not have to think that thought. We do not need someone to be wrong so that we can feel safe, comfortable, or validated. We can remember who we are and CREATE the experiences we desire. 

Keep it curious, keep it light. And be the damn Light!