Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Lessons from a 5 yr old...

Last Thursday, I went for a run.

It wasn't really a run - it was a 'whatever'...

It was just beautiful outside & I had ran the day before so I wasn't sure how I would feel running 2 days back to back... but I knew I wanted to be outside.  So I would walk, run, skip, hop... whatever I wanted to do... hence the workout term 'whatever'

On a 'whatever' day, I even take pictures along the way to show how beautiful my running days can be

I am coming up to a house & see a little girl sitting on her bike & she's just watching me, keeping her eye on me like I'm an ice cream truck.  A level of excitement building as I get closer.

When I get to an area where she knows I can hear her, she immediately starts....

"I see you EV-ER-Y-DAY"... very dramatic effect on the word "everyday"

I had to laugh & said, "You do?"

& she was off on the questions

Do you walk every day?
Why?
Where do you go?
Where do you live?
Is it fun?

I hit the time on my watch & just stopped & talked with her.

She told me, "You know, I like to walk too"... I could tell she was working me to let her come with me.  But I don't think her parents would like a stranger saying, "Sure, walk off with me"... yeah... not going to happen

I told her that I'm sure her mommy would walk with her if she asked... & she just sort of shrugged her shoulders...

There was an atmosphere of this girl that just craved some attention for a little bit...

I wasn't out for a PR this day - I was out to enjoy the day... so what a way to enjoy it... but sitting on the edge of this drive way & letting this little girl just talk away.  She wanted to show me all her tricks on her bike & how she could 'jump it'... & by jump it, she would jerk her arms like she was picking the whole bike up & sailing across the sky like Evil Kinevil.  I would applaud & clap & tell her how amazing she was doing on her bike.... she just smiled from ear to ear...

I think I was too...

I told her I needed to go finish my walk & I would see her soon, since I go by her house EV-ER-Y-DAY :)

I thought about her & the few things she taught me in just those few minutes I took out of my day....

1.  Be proud of what you can do.... she was so excited to show off what she could do on her bike.  If you're impressed with yourself, who cares what others think.  Yeah, there are people out there that do things better, but its what YOU can do that counts

2. Don't be afraid to make a new friend... this little girl had no issues with approaching me & wanting to make a friend.  She probably felt a little comfortable saying something with me since she sees my face so often passing in front of her home... why not stop that person you see all the time & strike up a conversation?  Or just say hello?  What is it going to hurt to be friendly to someone?

3.  Everyone wants praise... I would clap & cheer & even jump up & down for the 'bike tricks' & this little girl would smile bigger with every big cheer I would do.  We all need that sometimes, don't we?  Someone clapping & cheering us on whatever we are doing in life.  Gives encouragement... gives us bravery... keeps pushing us on...

 Animated Gif on Giphy
I want one of these signs over my head

4.  Ask questions ... I love how a child wants to know everything.  I know it gets aggravating when a small one gets in that "why?" phase... but its curiosity - the wanting to know more.  I loved this little girl wanted to know more about me.  It makes me want to ask more questions of the people in my life... that's how you learn more about them.

5. Pink Pig Bike Helmets are awesome... enough said on that one...

I went running last night & was hoping to see my little friend standing in her driveway so I could say hello & give her a high five as I ran by...

she wasn't there...

I'm hoping she was out walking somewhere with her mommy :)

6 comments:

  1. Aww...what a sweet story! There's no telling the impact you made on that little girl simply because you took the time to LISTEN! I think you may have made yourself a new friend for life! :)

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  2. Sweet post and what a great reminder.

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  3. I've been riding my bike around my neighbor hood (literally - 4 times around makes 2 miles). And this little girl asked me why I kept going in circles. I told her it was so I wouldn't get lost :)

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  4. Such a great lesson. I love that you stopped, and really gave her your full attention. What a blessing - for both of you.

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  5. What an interesting little girl. I'm sure you made her day and I'm hoping you see her again too. Sounds like she could use a little more encouragement from time to time.

    Your post made me smile.
    jj

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  6. It sounds like you are right about her craving attention. I'm sure she was delighted when she finally got to talk to you and you were so nice. I would be a little nervous of encouraging her though, in case she chooses the wrong person to befriend in the future.

    Maybe you could talk with her mother and suggest she go for a walk with her?

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