It’s amazing how powerful words are. They can inspire, uplift and motivate on one hand and on the other hand, they can destroy relationships and environments in a heartbeat. An encounter in my apartment elevator had a profound impact on me recently.
We have a great gymnasium in our building. I take full advantage of it pretty much every day of the week. Recently, I was getting ready for my daily work out and I was overwhelmed at just how long it takes me to prepare for my gym session. I had a very long fall down a flight of stairs 18 months ago and I sustained some nasty injuries that will stay with me now for the rest of my life. As painful as these injuries are to manage, they are a great reminder of just how lucky I was that day.
It has taken a lot of work to get completely mobile and even get back to the gym, but finally…….I am there.
So – back to my elevator encounter. I was getting ready for the gym. I put on my gym clothes……slowly. I rubbed deep heat into the areas that act up the most when I am on the treadmill. I took some turmeric powder in water to help with inflammation. I got my iPod, water bottle, towel, key to the apartment and headed towards the lift. While I was waiting for the lift to open, it really struck me just how long it DOES take me to prepare for my hour gym session now days. Once upon a time, I would throw on trainers and within seconds I would have hit the ground running. These days, I need at least 30 minutes to prepare my body just to exercise. As I was making my descent from the 11th floor to the ground floor, the elevator stopped half way down. A youthful, super fit girl stepped inside. Dressed in hiking gear and carrying a back pack, it was evident that this young woman was committed to all things health and wellness. Good health and energy poured out from every cell of her being. She was shining.
She said to me “OH, you are off to the gym?” I said “YES” and then somehow I managed to offload onto her without even thinking about how I was struggling to get there. I pretty much gave her a blow by blow description of every injury I had suffered from the 5th floor to the ground floor.
When we got to the bottom, the doors opened and she stepped into the foyer. I thought that it was highly likely that she would break into a run to get away from me but instead she turned to me and said “ At least you are going to the gym. At least you are moving forward”. I thought, “YES, too right”. Just before she grabbed her bike to cycle out into the world, she turned one last time and said to me “Hey, remember, while you are there – JUST SMASH IT” and with that she disappeared.
I got to the gym and her words really made an impact on me. She reminded me that sometimes we just go through the motions of life. We get complacent. Whether it is the gym, work, relationships, eating, walking, our dreams, goals and visions, life in general – some days we just exist.
Those 3 little words “ JUST SMASH IT” reminded me –
To be more mindful.
To PUSH myself.
To make my actions count.
To actually expand my awareness.
To not just work out, but to ” SMASH IT”.
To be grateful that I can actually go to the gym.
This young woman’s vitality, her enthusiasm and her words inspired me and reminded me to make every minute count.
Where are your thoughts going?
Are you living or are you just existing?
Are you just going through the motions today?
Are you present?
Do your words inspire and uplift?
Are you making your actions count today?
Mindfulness is the practice of purposely focusing your attention on the present moment. By clearing your mind of distractions, worries, mind chatter and then consciously directing your entire focus and energy into the present moment, you can improve your wellness and live a happier and more fulfilled life. Mindfulness has so many health and wellness benefits beyond just keeping you more present and focussed.
Practicing mindfulness can –
Improve overall stress levels.
Promote a more restful sleep.
Improve relationships.
Increase happiness and reduce depression.
Promote an “attitude of gratitude”.
Bring richness and meaning to your life.
Make it a habit to practice MINDFULNESS. Whether it is eating, resting, exercising, reading, talking, breathing, loving, living – STAY PRESENT.
So, now I want to pass on this young woman’s words to you.
Whatever you do today – REMEMBER…..JUST SMASH IT!