There's a beautiful walking route around the lake in my community.
I walk it often these days, as a way to relieve stress and burn a few calories.
Along the route, there are places to stop and rest, to enjoy the scenery, and to sit with friends or family.
The last time I took that walk, one bench in particular struck me.
It was sitting there empty.
Against a striking blue backdrop, framed by trees whose leaves were just beginning to turn the many shades of fall.
I thought about all of the people who had sat on that bench before that day.
Who were they?
What did they talk about?
Were they happy? Sad? Angry?
Millions of people, living vastly different lives pass by each other every day. It's mind-blowing if you stop to think about it.
And we get to choose which of those people we sit with on our benches.
Again with the choices! See how they are everywhere?
This one is a really important choice though. The people we surround ourselves with can shape our life in pretty dramatic ways.
Both positively or negatively.
Our goal should be to have people sitting with us who lift us up.
People who encourage us, support us, and see the best in us.
People who aren't afraid to tell us when we are making stupid choices.
People who truly want us to succeed, unselfishly.
People who love us unconditionally, even on our worst days.
It can be hard to find those people. Heck, it can be hard to BE one!
But it's possible. We just have to keep an open mind and an open heart.
We also have to have the courage to know when someone on our bench isn't one of those people.
To be able to tell them kindly but without question, that their seat on the bench is no longer available to them.
And then fill that seat with someone who has a positive influence on our life. Or maybe make room for someone who was there the whole time and we just didn't see it.
There's only so much space on our benches.
Let's choose wisely how we fill that space.
Who's on YOUR bench?
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