View from the high road (Spoiler: There's a Karen)

Dear Blog Diary,
Some people just make it hard to be a good person, hard to take the high road. Ted Lasso all smiling and shit as people are complete schmucks to him intentionally.

Ironman events have this wildly contagious, intense optimism and enthusiasm. They actually instruct their staff to say “you’ve got this” and “you’re doing great” but damn near every spectator is there FOR YOU. Their person is racing, so they support everyone like their own. In Carolina running down the stretch, this guy was yelling FOR ME. Touched my heart, truly.

It’s this kind of optimism that I try to hold every day. All the bullshit about “everyone is fighting a battle that you know nothing about.” It’s fucking true though! It’s not just a meme you saw online. I root for people and find joy in their joy!

At my climbing gym, the treadmills are on the 2nd floor, windows right by one of the walls. When people fall, I verbally say “don’t quit.” When they send the route, I golf clap as they get lowered down. Women never like that. Gotten some faces. Only fellas laugh and mouth “thank you.” Truth be told, I totally get in male heavy populated environments like climbing gyms, my gesture could come off as pandering to a woman with a chip on her shoulder, but I’m not responsible how people take my genuine enthusiasm.

Went hiking today. My dog Kuma was off leash. I get it. I also acknowledge some of you outdoor greeN-eo Nazis need to relax.

Karen: You need to leash your dog.

Yes ma’am I absolutely will, sorry.

Do you know why?

Why is that ma’am?

Because earlier I saw a moose and if my dog wasn’t on leash, probably be dead.

Maybe. I’ll put her on leash right away ma’am.

It’s a $100 fine and I could report you, smart ass.

I was being polite ma’am (as I’m walking away)

(Yelling things at me but ends calling me a jackass)

I was being polite ma’am.

I hope your dog gets trampled!

My blood boiled. The truth is, almost 100% with strangers and service industry, that’s how I talk. Fuck her. Not my problem. But also, meaningless cunt gave me the opportunity to silence my ego.

Easier said than done. Me, pshh but you say that about my dog, as a dog owner!?

Empathy, kindness, passion, compassion. Those are my virtues. Honor is living your virtues everyday. Took everything in me to take the high road. The nihilist in me asks why take the high road at all.

The answer: Choice, feeds my ego, lets me think I’m a good person, the world has enough pieces of shit, and…the view from up there is spectacular.

Best,
E