It’s pretty easy to be critical of others and I admit I have a problem with it myself at times, but know this – I’m working on it. Wisdom comes with age and so does temperance.

It really hit home a while back. We went hunting and we took the travel trailer loaded with all kinds of stuff to last us about a week. We were pulling those hills at the speed limit with our dodge Cummins with ease, when we crept up on an older pickup that was loaded down with as much stuff as we had. I kept thinking to myself “Why can’t he go any faster?”

We could be there by now! It’s taking forever!

Then it hit me. He was pulling a trailer with a side by side, grill, camper, etc. This fella had an older pickup, pulling as much load or more than I was. It was the same road, same hills, and he was probably going to the same place as we were, looking for the same enjoyable experience that we were after.

He was just doing the best he could with what he had.

People are like that. You see them and think they should be further along in life. They should be more successful, happier, smarter, etc than they are right now. But you need to think about the load they are pulling, and what they have to pull it with that’s not allowing them to be where you think they should. They are probably just doing the best that they can.

We all have a load to carry, and we all carry it differently. We don’t have the same abilities or means to get there, but as long as we have for- ward motion we will eventually get there.

So before you decide to belittle others and their lack of progress ask yourself “how can I help lighten their load?” Or just back off and be quiet.

We are all looking to find some enjoyment in life so why not help others, and let’s get there together. Let us be respectful, kind and forgive, we will be filled with gratitude and joy… after all, this trip called “life” is very short.