"Good Morning" People

I spend quite a few hours on the walking trail near my home. It gives me a chance to analyze a lot of things that are not of too much importance. One thing I have noticed is that people who get out fairly early to walk, jog, or bike are a lot friendlier than those later in the day. There is rarely a person I pass on my morning walks who does not say, "Good Morning!" If I pass them a second time on the way back, the standard greeting is, "Have a good one!"

There are smiles galore. I see many of the same people day after day, and we are genuinely happy to see each other. Our greetings are heart-felt. Let me introduce you to some of these "Good Morning" people.

1) The old man who wears a fishing hat and has his cane swung over his shoulder. By his look and the gruff sound of his voice, I'm pretty sure he was a crabbing boat captain before he retired, like those seen in Deadliest Catch.

2) The lady who reminds me of my best friend in high school. She even wears a knee brace like Cissy. I saw her at a race last year, and we felt like old friends even though we still have never spoken.

3) The lady who always walks about 100 feet in front of her husband. They both seem to be enjoying their time together/apart.

4) The man who doesn't have a drop of hair on his whole body and never has in the two-plus years I've been walking. Sometimes he has his dog with him, and sometimes he's solo.

5) The lady who carries itty bitty weights each and every day.

6) The guy who rides a bike with a motor (the cheater).

7) The pastor of one of those other Methodist churches in town on his bike.

8) The lady who walks next to the path instead of on it. She carries her purse up and out from her body.

9) The various pairs of friends that meet each other every day for a bit of a walk and a lot of gossip. They are always in a great mood.

Now, I also do my of walking at other times of the day. When it is really cold in the mornings, I often walk at around 4pm. I have also walked around dinner time and even late at night more times than I care to remember.

There is a big difference when you walk later in the day. Virtually no one greets anyone else--ever. Eyes are averted. People look down and walk right past. People are down-right grumpy. Why is this??

My guess is that people who get up extra early to exercise feel good about how they've started their day. They are doing something great for themselves, and the day shines bright with possibilities ahead of them. People who are exercising later in the day are also doing something great for their bodies, but they are tired. The day has kicked them around, and they just want to get this walk over with so they can get into bed and forget it all.

So, here's the deal. I'm a "Good Morning" person. Even when I walk later in the day. It's a much more pleasant way to live! Care to join me?