Gratitude

Through the month of November, I carried around a permanent marker and a piece of paper everywhere I went. I asked different people to write down what or who they were thankful for and then I took a photo.  It started out as a fun way to involve the community in the "Gratitude" month at my studio, but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

It amazed me what came to people's minds.  They were grateful for the people in their lives, of course, but also for random acts of kindness, for nature, for getting away with something, for their daily routines, and the list went on and on.  I put the marker away and just started to ask everyone "What are you thankful for?"  People I had known for 10 years would be thankful for their childhood puppy that I didn't even knew had existe!  I learned so much about my friends, my clients, and strangers all from a question that I had never thought to ask before.

I encourage everyone to take even one day and ask people what they appreciate most in their lives.  You get to hear so many stories about weird uncles, loves of the past, pets, experiences, even sounds.  It gives you such a unique look into your friend's lives.  I know I am grateful for all the stories shared with me.  Here are a few of the highlights from the month...

 

Being Thankful

In my profession I get a lot of people who want more. Want more strength, lose more weight, perform with more skill. It is in the nature of my job that I help people get to the more they want and help them reach their goals. But what are those goals if we don' step back and appreciate the ones we have accomplished.

Take Thanksgiving to look at what you have achieved this year. I know I have clients who have lost significant amounts of weight. I have clients that have gained coordination and agility. I even have clients that have gained confidence and security with their strength. These things are often overlooked to focus on future goals, but a goal is not worth reaching if we can't congratulate ourselves when we get there.

Today, I am not only going to be thankful for the things I have accomplished in this last year I am also going to be thankful for the things I take might have taken for granted. My body wakes up every morning and performs for me. Even when I haven't taken in enough water, or I get beat up falling while snowboarding, or I don't take a day off, my body wakes up and performs. Everyday I have the ability to run, jump, skip , hop, pull, push, drag, shove, you get the idea.

These movements are a blessing and a true way to give thanks to your body is to use it. So today if you are planning an ultra-marathon of football, turkey, and beer. Try adding a little movement in before you start. Your body is a gift, don't waste it.