Tree Hugger

Last week in my advertising creativity class, our professor asked us to think about a time when we had been wrong. We have all been wrong at some point, but what came to my mind was the trouble we can get ourselves into by jumping to conclusions, or assuming something about a person based on first impressions or observation. It is easy to look at a person and presume you know their background, who might be in their social circle, or their occupation. This is a natural human tendency, but in no way is it right.

On another one of my Katy trail adventures (I promise I don't go on it every day of my life...) I tensed up with I saw a man up ahead of me take a running leap onto the incline off of the side of the trail. As I neared the point where I watched him enter the foliage, I felt myself becoming nervous, as if he was planning on jumping out from the bushes and attacking me. I hesitantly looked up to check for an impending leap, but was taken aback to see him with his back turned to me, staring intently at a fallen tree. Confused by my unnecessary tension, I continued on my run. When I reached my turnaround point, I looked up to see none other than the man I had previously tried to avoid, striding in my direction with the fallen tree slung over his shoulder, a huge grin plastered on his face. As I crossed paths with Mr. Tree-Rescuer, we exchanged a wave and a big smile, and continued on our ways.

Let me just say, that was the last thing I was expecting, and I couldn't stop laughing for the next mile or so as I replayed the scenario in my head. After the initial novelty of what I had just witnessed wore off, I realized that I should be disappointed with myself. By jumping to conclusions about a man I knew nothing about, I passed a form of negative judgment that he did not deserve. No one deserves to be put in a category, unless of course they ask to be placed there. To pass any sort of judgment on someone or something does nothing but increase close-mindedness and discourage human interaction and experience. Looking back, I wish I had stopped him and asked what he was planning on doing with his new (potentially decorative) piece of shrubbery.