photo credit: Ricky G. Sloan
My husband and I enjoy riding our bicycles on the bike trail in our town. The trail extends for 20-plus miles, but we’re not up to that much yet. We take the portion that’s about six miles long and cover most of it, making a round trip of ten to eleven miles.
That stretch is a popular one for bikers and people on foot, so we know we’re going to pass folks along the way. Being typical Southerners, we greet everyone with a nod and a “good morning.”
Can you hear me now?
Most people respond in kind, but some never hear our greeting. A closer look reveals earbuds linked to their phone or another device they carry with them. Whether they’re listening to music, an audiobook, or an exercise routine, their attention is focused on what they’re hearing in their ears. We represent a distraction, however brief, from that program.
They ignore us, but we’re not deterred. We just pedal on to the next person.
So, what’s the point?
Applying this to life, I figured this reflection could be taken two ways: You can be tuned in, listening to something valuable like the Word of God, or you can be tuned outward so you’re aware of the needs around you. There’s a time for both, and neither should be excluded.
Being an introvert, I find it easy to turn inward…trying to fix myself or filling up on good thoughts. Reaching out to others is more difficult for me. I worry that people won’t be receptive, that I’ll say the wrong thing or completely mess up. Perhaps extroverts have the opposite perspective, finding it easy to assist others but difficult to be quiet and reflective.
Getting out of those comfort zones is essential for all of us. Discomfort leads to growth and fulfillment. We can always retreat to our safety zones at intervals, tuning in or out as needed.
