…don’t be quick to judge

Day 239 — During my workouts with dietitian/trainer, Erik Bustillo, we frequently seem to talk about how you only envy the people you don’t know. How no path is easy and no one gets a free pass in this life. As a consequence, we usually end up sharing stories that embody that sentiment.

Today he called to share some sad news. I thanked him for letting me know so that I could have the privilege of praying for a dear friend who, on the outside looking in, you’d imagine has it all…but is quietly, bravely pushing through a tough time. Perhaps from the catch in my voice he realized I’d begun to struggle. My tears, no matter how I tried to stop them, began to spill over and silently slowly fall down my cheeks.

So he shared some lyrics from one of his favorite songs to help me make sense of the seemingly unfair and senseless:

“Actions have reactions. Don’t be quick to judge. You may not know the hardships people don’t speak of. It’s best to step back and observe with couth. For we all must meet our moment of truth.”

It’s likely this moment is a “moment of truth” for our friend. It may not be the first, and most assuredly it will not be the last. We all have them. Defining moments that challenge everything you think, feel and believe. Everything you think you can’t endure. Then you do. And this person will.

I’ve met my moment of truth more times than I care to remember. When I was misdiagnosed with lung cancer. When helplessly watching my beloved niece slip from my mortal grasp. The loss of my sister. When I made the decision reinvent my life by reinvesting in myself.

This “Don’t judge a book by its cover” sentiment has a north star effect on me. Even when I fail at it. It eventually circles around and lifts me back up. And for me, in this “moment of truth” context, where from the outside looking into any situation, you realize you are only looking at the “cover” and that it’s a “cover” intended to “cover-up.” To cover the private or impoverished choices we make. The things we don’t want to admit to ourselves, let alone anyone else.

Replete with bad language…I’m always surprised how misogynistic rap is. But here I am quoting it. Yes. The profound lyrics above are from an 80’s Hip Hop group, Gang Starr. Wisdom is everywhere. Food for thought…

#FatToFabOver50, #ThugDietLife, #elitehealth, #elitefitforever, #stressresponse, #BillCortright, #fitspo, #weightlossjourney, #1poundatatime, #motivatingmyself, #nomoreexcuses, #BeElite, #MTWABP

@EliteHealth @EliteFitForever @BillCortright @StevenSchnur @JaclynTolentino @AlexCortrightRD @ErikBustillo @MiamiBeachBiz