Day 72

Something wonderful happened yesterday and I would like to share it.
Since Thanksgiving weekend was this past weekend and there was so much to do, I didn't have any time for my weekend 20 miler, so I put it off until Monday, which was yesterday. It was supposed to rain all day and be in the mid 50's (happy december 1st, new england?) , but instead it was in the mid 50's and beautifully sunny, which made for excellent running conditions. And thats not even the good part. So I left from my dad's house and was coming up the main road when I passed a man in an electric wheelchair. From the little POW-MIA license plate he had attached and the American flag that he had flying, I'm guessing he was a veteran. So I passed him, and he yelled out "run a few laps for me!" and I said "will do!" and he said "beautiful! you're absolutely beautiful!" Now. I don't think he was talking so much about my physical features as he was about the fact that I had a healthy body and a strong pair of legs and I was out running while he was not able to. And ya know, I think most people, at some time in their lives, have encountered someone who they would consider disadvantaged, whether physically or monetarily or socially or whatever, and have been amazed at how happy they are. Really, this guy was so positive. And I know it was only a few words exchanged, but I just knew he was genuinely excited for me to be running, and not at all bitter, like I think I might be should we trade places.
And even though I have met tons of 'disadvantaged' people (that's not derogatory in any way, btw) and thought that they were really warm and happy, it's one of those things that I a) didn't heartily believe enough to think about, or b) just really didn't think about. Until now. But I think its because people who live in really crappy circumstances have this realization that things aren't going to get any better in that regard, and they see clearly that this thing, whatever they lack, will not fill them up. So they know what true happiness is, and I've got to believe that true happiness is not contingent on things that can be taken away, or else people with nothing would be miserable instead of some of the most genuinely happy people I've ever met. And with people like me on the other hand, who have been given limitless opportunities and have everything we need, there is this thought that a little bit more of whatever is always attainable (this IS America, after all), and somewhere therein lies life getting better. I mean, who is going to stop you from achieving your dreams, because we are always bombarded with the thought that we can if we try really hard, and its always seemed like a positive thing. But its not. We just want more, and it sounds cliche, but its so true. It doesn't even have to be money or material things. This is being really vulnerable, but I think with me, it's this thought deep down that getting married will be when my life really starts to be fulfilling. But that's not true. I have everything I need to be satisfied right here and now, and so does everyone once they give up hope of getting more. Talk about a revelation on what Thanksgiving really should focus on. So give up hope. Really. It's what I need to do.
And it is so beautiful that I can run every day. How much beauty do I miss daily by looking for more?