That's the question behind Action 014 - Appreciate and Cherish. Over New Year's Weekend, I had the opportunity to run two back-to-back half marathons in Dallas, Texas. On Saturday, I ran with someone that I knew fairly well online from my fitness site (SparkPeople.com) but had not yet met in person. And the next morning, I ran with a Marine buddy that I first met back in 1986. New and old.
And again this morning, the old and the new were starkly contrasted for me. I ran a half marathon in Palm Springs (more on that later, to be sure) and I walked up towards the starting line and saw my best friend looking around for me. As I got his attention, I saw someone else approach and ask, "John?" It was another member of the same fitness website, and we were meeting each other in person for the first time.
Both times, I took a moment to enjoy the contrast of the two different people. The Marine buddies have known me since I was a young man, and the new people have only known me now as a man in his mid-forties.
Here's where the wisdom comes in. I don't compare the new to the old. They aren't competitors. I appreciate the new people that come into my life and enjoy the possibilities that new friends bring. And I cherish the long-time friendships, knowing that our shared histories and experiences bind us together.
Appreciate and cherish. It is the best of both.
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