7.14.20 // Passing judgments

Passing judgments.
.
Let's stop making these, especially in the outdoor community.
.
On the night I took this picture, a group of women around my age whispered as they passed me...
.
"Oh, she didn’t come here to hike, she just came here to take a picture”.
.
I'm aware that I'm in control of my reactions and while I initially let my reaction feel frustrated by the comment because "I am too a hiker!!", after a few minutes I shrugged it off with a laugh in the car. However, the comment was still something that made me think.
.
Here are my thoughts based on my experience:
.
For context, you need permits during the day time to access Maroon Bells. I didn't have these during my stay in Colorado, but as I just finished up dinner in Aspen and was heading down valley I realized 8:30 was the perfect time to sneak in.
.
I was in dinner attire, but that didn't deter me from a spontaneous adventure to bask in the glory of the Bells and grab a few photos of the magic.
.
But, this is where and why I received the unnecessary comment from strangers.
.
They don't know how I spend my days. They don't know the first thing about me, but they muttered snide comments pretending to be a whisper because I was taking photos and didn't "look" like I belonged.
.
Why has this become so common in the outdoor community? I'm asking because I realize I do it too sometimes. Judge someone unnecessarily and unfairly in the outdoor community especially when it comes to taking photos. I think the recent post by @pattiegonia addressed it well. Who are we to play god on what's a worthy way to get outside?
.
So can we stop the passing judgments outdoors?
.
Sure, the receivers of the judgment can control their reactions, but the outdoors is a place of beauty, positivity, and mother nature at her finest, it shouldn't be a place where someone is judged, unnecessarily critiqued, or afraid to be themselves in whatever way they wish to show up in nature.
.
Let's make a pact, let's stop passing judgements and instead find ways to lift each other up in our individual dances with Mother Nature.

I'll hold you accountable if you'll hold me.