Micro Habits

Today was another "grind it out" kind of run.  The 4 miles today felt way harder than the 7 we ran on Saturday.  I didn't realize how hot and humid it was going to be, and I started running way too late in the morning (6:30am or so, which is late for me!).  But again, we put the miles in and checked another workout off the list.  One step closer to 13.1 miles just 6 short weeks from this Saturday!  When I first re-committed to being a runner, I decided that I wasn't going to make excuses as to why I'm not running.  Rain, shine, hot, or cold, runners run.  No excuses.  That tiny little habit had made a huge difference in my progress.

Running when conditions are less than ideal is just one of the habits that I have committed to in this journey.  That concept of habits is what is permeating my thinking this week.  A number of the people I follow via blogs and YouTube have been talking about "micro habits."  What are the small things you can do every day that move you toward your goal?  Getting up the same time every day?  Eating 3 servings of vegetables every day?  Walking at least a mile every day?  Spending time listening to the other members of your household and holding their highs and lows in prayer every day?  The list could go on, and must be tailored to your own individual goals, but you get the idea.

Maybe this idea might apply to our society's clear need for progress in the area of social justice.  Clearly, there is a need for deep and meaningful change.  But like a lot of change, it can be hard to make huge progress all at once.  Maybe we can all ask ourselves (or be open to the suggestions of others), "what are the micro habits that eventually might lead to big changes in racial equality?"

One habit might be consistently assuming the best in people, especially people who are different than us.  Instead of assuming that a busload of demonstrators from the city are coming to throw bricks through our windows and start fires, assume that they are coming to join their voices with the voices of our concerned local citizens and share a message that's important for them to share.  Assume that listening to them will help us better understand one another.  Assume that a black person with a hooded sweatshirt you've never seen before is just out for a walk in a new neighborhood.  Not looking for something to steal.  Assume that families who look different than you share the same hopes and dreams for their kids as you do.  Assume that other cultures, including their foods and rituals, are something exciting to learn about.  Assume that we all can learn from one another.

I realize that sometimes those assumptions will be wrong and might place you at risk.  I realize that sometimes it's unsafe to trust.  But for every time our assumptions of fear save our lives, they create unnecessary tension and harm at least 50 times more often (this is an imprecise calculation, but one I feel strongly about based on personal experience).

So keep at those micro habits for your own personal health.  And think about the micro habits that might lead to meaningful change for our world.

May God strengthen us for this important part of the journey.

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