It was a Friday at around 11:45am. I had gotten two awesome beat downs at FITT earlier in the day from Megan and Jen and I was STARVING. I had my mind on a Portillo cheeseburger, or a Chick-fil-a spicy sandwich and fries. I picked my daughter up from school and planned to just indulge. But I paused when I got back into the car at her preschool. I felt tired, sore, total body fatigue from the mornings workouts, and from those earlier in the week. I looked in the rear view mirror at Libby’s cute little face and made the decision right then, to drive over to the grocery store and get the two of us green smoothies instead of the greasy fast food.
This is not to say that I don’t indulge in fast food, or too much wine at times, but my point is this. I believe that it’s the little things in life that make this biggest differences. I made one small choice that day that affected how I felt that afternoon, I had more energy, and didn’t have that 2pm crash. It also affected Libby, she had a healthy snack instead of fast food fries, and we went to open gymnastics and both goofed around and had a great time.
The little things in life have always been something that I valued. From an early age I remember my parents teaching me that showing small kindnesses toward each other, from your family to a stranger on the street, is the way you should go through your day. My mom would always say, be kind to everyone you meet, you never know what battle they are fighting.I try to remember this everyday. Every small thing you do, for others or for yourself, makes a difference. You could make someone’s day with a smile and a wave, with a hug for no reason, with a sarcastic comment that makes them laugh, with a high five and encouraging word at the gym.
So value the little things, the tiny victories over junk food, the text to a friend you haven’t talked to in a while, go fishing with your dad, savor that coffee that someone brings you at work, enjoy that pat on the back after a brutal workout. These are the things that add up add up and make a real difference in your life, and then lives of those around you.
__Bridget Draz, FITT-RX Instructor