I was walking from my house to my garage the other morning, to get my car and go to work. It was one of those cool, crisp mornings you can only experience in the Fall around 7:00ish. We live next to an alley and I saw one of my neighbors out walking his dog. I was struck by instantaneous jealousy.
I wanted to be the one out for a walk in my sweats on a beautiful autumn day. Obviously the guy was retired. Look how leisurely he is walking with his dog. I wanted to be retired instead of going to work.
So I blurted out, “Wanna trade places today”? He smiled and said, “Well, I wish I could. I’d like to be going to work.” He went on to explain that he had been in a motorcycle accident and had “bled out his brain”. Sounded really awful. Because of that, they took his license away temporarily so he couldn’t work. He was at the end of his twelve weeks of medical leave, and didn’t quite know what would happen next, but he needed a release from his doctor to go back.
Yeah, I put my foot in my mouth. How many times do we look at other people and assume they have it better than we do, and have ourselves a pity party because our lives are so bad? We really have no idea what life is like for those around us, particularly these days.
I got in my car and drove to work with an attitude of gratitude rather than the green eyed monster who was originally going to accompany me. Take some time to be more aware of others this Thanksgiving season and maybe even lend a hand to someone who wishes they could trade places with you.