So I either run early in the morning or after 6 in the
evening, when it has cooled down a little.
I get a variety of reactions from other people.
A few people smile and say hello.
They see what I am doing and see it as a worthwhile thing
to be doing. These people are walking or running too.
A few people just stare or frown.
They think I am crazy to be running around and around the
same streets three times a week. These people are sitting or standing on their
front lawns.
Most people simply don’t know that I am running.
They are inside their homes eating or sleeping or
relaxing. Or they are out and about working and doing their own things.
They don’t care that I am running or that I have a goal.
This is so true of parenting too.
A few other parents understand and are also parenting
with intent. They too have a concrete goal for their precious wee ones.
A few other parents simply disapprove or don’t understand
the way I parent. They evaluate and judge on the moment, rather than from the
perspective of a long range goal.
Most other parents simply don’t know or care how I am
parenting.
This realisation has been quite liberating. I enjoy
journeying with those who are on the same path. I can listen but not be
surprised when parents on a different journey comment or criticise, knowing
they don’t have the big picture view.
Most of all, I accept that most others don’t ever see or
know the labour of each day for each child, and that’s okay.
I parent for an audience of One.
