Sidewalks are a strange thing.

 People walk on them,

 talk on them,

and others put chalk on them.

We don’t normally think about how many people have walked where we’ve walked.

If only we could see the many footprints that walked on the same sidewalk.

The footprints that understand the struggle and hardships

of pursuing the path leading to your dreams.

We walk on the same paths

with different destinations to reach.

Sidewalks help some reach their destination

and help others continue their journey.

The cracks in the cement from those who have walked one path one too many times,

remind us that no journey is easy.

The pebbles and debris on top of the cement,

remind us of all the distractions that prevent many from following their dreams.

All paths contain struggle,

but not all lead to success.

Some sidewalks are clean and well kept,

while others are covered in leaves and broken branches.

Some sidewalks have cigarette buds and needles scattered on them,

where others have dropped coins and jewelry.

Many times people stop short of their path

and walk backward never reaching the end.

A half walked journey only leaves questions for what could have been

or what might be.

Sidewalks show us that maybe we’re all not so different after all.

They remind us that life is about the journey, not the destination.

Often times we are so focused on the journey,

the beauty of the world surrounding us goes unnoticed.

We all go about our own paths trying to reach for what others can’t.

Maybe some of us are walking the same path,

trying to cause our competition to trip on a crack in the path.

Sometimes the path isn’t wide enough for a group of people to walk side by side.

One person always ends up behind or on the road.

Just like in life,

some are left behind and forgotten.

While others continue forward

and achieve their goals.

No matter where we end up,

we continue our path.

Taking one step at a time

to align ourselves just as the sidewalks align the roads.

Sidewalks go in all directions.

They don’t all lead to the same place,

but all come to an end eventually.

Often times the end of a sidewalk isn’t the end of the journey.

The end of a sidewalk is just the beginning for many,

and a halfway point for others.

Maybe we should treat each other how we treat sidewalks.

Understanding they all end up at different places,

without judgment of the path walked to get there.

These simple paths of cement connect the world in a peaceful way no matter where they lead.

Walking on your own path is hard enough without the judgment of others.

The judgment of others serves as extra debris we must walk through.

Reminding us that no matter what life throws at us,

we always persevere and continue on.

Sidewalks can bring us together.

Instead of pushing each other aside,

and casting judgments on different paths of life

we can walk together.

Respecting others for their chosen path

will help bring the world together,

just as sidewalks do.