The Kindness of Strangers

I posted this is my blog, but wanted to share it here, too. This is just a reminder that a few words, even from a stranger, can make all the difference to someone. Something we need to remember and "Pay it Forward"!

As I was killing myself to get through my run today, I saw a lady come into the gym, that I've seen many times. I usually see her running and she makes it look effortless. We've exchanged idol chitchat over time, but nothing major. I smiled and nodded, she did the same and I kept at my run, which was the worst today that it has ever been - I just couldn't get myself to my mile - my legs were fighting against me every step (er stride) of the way (in their defense, we've been rocking week 2 of Ripped in 30 this week...they are a bit tired by this point).

I set my mind to it and thought to myself "you're going to run your mile, even if you have to walk in between, which is ok to do". I got to half a mile and stopped to walk it out for half a mile then I started running again...which, again, wasn't going my way. I stopped a few times to stretch my poor legs and make them stop screaming. Finally, I had done my mile, not at all once, but I completed it. I walked another half or mile (it's fuzzy at this point) to cool down. Then I hopped off my treadmill, saw the lady was on her elliptical, cleaned my machine, and went to get my stuff to leave.

The lady hopped off the elliptical and came over to me "Hey - did you just start running?" Yeah - can tell, huh? I'm about to die "Well, I noticed you've definitely lost weight and I just wanted to tell you you're doing a great job. I was just like you when I started - start and stop. It took me forever to build up - but I wanted to tell you to keep at it - you're doing a great job" and we chatted about it a little bit.

But, really, she stopped HER workout to come over and tell ME "Hey, you're doing great, stick with it: - and gave me a compliment on weight loss. She stopped her workout to encourage mine. I thanked her, and I meant it. It really made my day - for someone I don't even know to take notice, and to share her struggles - esp when she makes it look effortless. It's a reminder that you never know what someone else has gone through, or is going through, and a few kind words, even from a stranger, can make a huge impact. I'm going to pay it forward the next time I'm at the gym. I encourage you to do the same!