It was a Saturday morning in early October and I had just set out for a run. The sun was shining as I put in my headphones and did what I normally do when I run: call my mom. We were chatting about the past week when she asked how far I was planning on running. The tone of the conversation quickly changed from light-hearted to uneasy. “Rachel, how can you go that far in Detroit and not get into a bad neighborhood? Where are you planning on going? Are you alone?” I was planning on going far, and yes, I was alone. I was a month in to training for the Detroit Free Press Half Marathon and needless to say, I was used to this conversation by now. Still, the questioning was enough to strike a nerve. I was angered by her lack of trust, and honestly, I just wanted to enjoy my run.

The truth is though, when I run in Detroit, I often have the same concerns as my mom. I stick to the same few routes around downtown, midtown and in my neighborhood. I put my head down and run a little faster when I pass individuals laying on the sidewalk and others walking aimlessly in the street. I let my preconceptions of Detroit, tainted by the media and gossip, get to me. Lessons that have been reiterated to me since childhood come to mind: Don’t talk to strangers. Stick with what you know. Listen to your gut.

This run was different.

After I hung up with my mom, I turned down Cass Ave—or the Cass Corridor as some refer to it—a street notoriously known for its blight and litter. As I worked my way down Cass towards the Riverwalk, I looked up to see that I was getting closer and closer to a shirtless man. He had crazy gray hair and was standing right in my path. Or was I in his path?

My heartbeat quickened as my body turned to fight or flight mode. And then the man smiled. He SMILED. Then he started running backwards next to me, encouraging me to keep going. I couldn’t help but smile back. I yelled a breathless “thank you” as the gap between us grew….definitely not the interaction you or I expected from this encounter.

That’s not all, though. Each and every individual I came across that morning had a similar reaction to my passing. Men and women of all kinds offered hellos, good mornings, and words of encouragement. One man who seemed to be struggling to carry all of his belongings with him on his bike looked at me and said,“God bless you” as we crossed paths.

His comment hit me hard. I have the time to exercise and the means to buy the right equipment. I have healthy lungs and the energy to run in the first place. The man I passed recognized this and was giving me his prayers so that at least one of us could enjoy the benefits of being active. I should be proud of my ability to stay healthy, but not so proud that I fail to acknowledge that others might not have this opportunity. Who was I to judge this man? Who was I to assume that he, and frankly all of the others I’d run into that morning, were going to cause me danger?

Now, as I run through the streets of Detroit, I can’t help but think about the bigger issue here, that everyone deserves to be acknowledged. A smile can bridge the gap between two people’s worlds that rarely come together. For me, each smile I receive in return humbles me. It forces me to remember that everyone deals with adversity in one way or another and in varying degrees; but ultimately, we’re all just people who could use a little more positive energy in our lives.

I challenge you too to smile and wave at others whether at work, at the store, or running through the streets of your home. You might just give someone the energy they need to get through the day.

As I write this, I know my mom is somewhere, reading it and cringing. Don’t worry mom, I’ll still listen to my gut, actively assess situations and hold safety as my number one concern when I explore Detroit and the world. Hopefully, I’ll just add a little more happiness along the way.

Sunrise view of the lighthouse along the Riverwalk on this run!