I cried during the LA Marathon last month.
Not tears of sorrow but tears of "Omg,the human race is so awesome!"
I live near Mile 22 of the LA Marathon and took my morning walk along the route the runners ran. The sidewalks were crowded with people cheering on the runners. People were yelling, ringing bells, slamming noisemakers together, and clapping their hands. There was so much excitement in the air, all to help others make it across the finish line.
Watching those people cheer on the runners for no other reason than to cheer them on was incredible. They did it because they wanted to help. They knew at some level that their cheering and clapping and words of encouragement would make a difference.
They expected nothing in return.
They just wanted to help others do a difficult thing.
They were joyous in their giving of support. And their joy was contagious; runners smiled, other strangers came to join the cheering group. You could see the joy and support flow from them and affect others like the ripples from a pebble dropped into a pond. It was such a beautiful display of people showing up for others.
That is why I cried. It was a reminder to me that one of the most important things that you can do for others is ...
just showing up for the people in your life, standing on the sidelines, cheering, and offering words of encouragement.
These simple gestures can go a very long way in supporting someone during hard times. Feeling the genuine support of others can make the difference between giving up or pushing through and making it across the finish line.
All those supporters out there mattered that day and ....
so do you to your friend.