Getting back into a routine after being away for almost three weeks has been a challenge. As part of my regular workout regimen, I include an hour of Pilates each week. This morning was my first time back on the reformer, and to add insult to injury, I had a rather vigorous workout with my regular trainer just yesterday.
I knew I was in for a challenge, as the instructor is extremely particular about EVERYTHING! Toes pointing, legs straight, abs engaged, back flat, shoulders back… but I did my best to dig into my reserves and give it everything I had left in the tank.
Approximately forty-five minutes into this torture session, I looked up to see the smiling face of a man I had never seen before. He said, “I’ve been watching you for the past half hour or so while I was on the StairMaster, and I’ve got to say, you’re really doing a great job!” I was speechless but managed to disentangle my hands from the straps to offer him a fist bump. Then he was gone.
My mood immediately shifted from stressed and tired to lighter and more energized. The fact that this person went out of his way to say something kind and encouraging felt like winning a prize. It wasn’t sought or solicited.
The message is clear to me: take any opportunity to be positive, encouraging, and supportive of others. It will improve your mood, help the recipient, and make the world a better, kinder place.
