I thought of this post while I was doing my long run a couple of weeks ago. I think this every time I go running to my favorite park. There are always a lot of people exercising on this park’s trail. A lot of people who are just starting their journey go here to get their activity in because it is so beautiful. This is a very different post than normal but it is still on topic. It is the conversation I have in my mind with the over weight person who I pass as we cross each others path and make eye contact. So here it goes.
Hey, isn’t it great that us fat people are out here getting it done (I am looking jolly at this moment)Why won’t you look at me? We are out here doing the same thing for the same reason. We are both overweight and think we a fat. Oh yeah, I am not fat anymore. Maybe that’s why you don’t really want to make eye contact with me. You try, but you turn away so fast. I feel bad because you look embarrassed when you don’t need to. I know how you feel though. It is funny since you have no idea that I have lost 130 lbs and used to be even bigger than you are. I wish I could make you understand. I wish I could stop you and tell you not to be shy and ashamed, but to be proud. I am proud of you. You are out here. I know it is hard and it might even be hurting right now, but you are moving. Great job. Soon, you will be like me. You will be the one that people think have always been thin and for that reason they think that you think they are fat and gross. But you won’t think like that right? You will remember what I see in your eyes right at this very moment where we glimpse at each other. I hope you can remember and have compassion when you reach your goal. Right now, you have sadness in your eyes. That heaviness that is present when you look at the vast amount of weight you are trying to lose. I see that you are afraid of what I think and afraid that you are not doing enough. I think you are doing fine. Please don’t look at me with that look of, “Don’t look at me buddy. You have never been fat. You don’t understand.” I do understand, can’t you see it in my eyes.
This is how it is so many times when I run by face to face with people on that trail. I know the look in their eye because I had that look in my eye before too. I only hope that they can see the compassion and understanding in mine.
I can see it in your eyes, but can you see it in mine?
