Remember to GIVE THANKS!
For me, this past year has been a roller coaster ride, to say the least. I have had so many positive things happen in my life. At the same time, I have had to work through the aftermath of a divorce. Divorce is so incredibly common. But perhaps like most, I never imagined it would happen to me. Even if one knows it is for the best, it seems one cannot escape dealing with feelings of sadness, hurt and disappointment. It is the natural course of human emotion. I've found that the key to getting through it is a positive attitude and a continuous refocusing on a heartfelt appreciation for all the love and good people around me. Throughout the last year I have made a point to remember to give thanks. Every night before I close my eyes, no matter how tough the day, I take a moment to reflect on the good, recollect, and smile. After a hard day of challenges and adversity, it can actually take a lot of mental work to get to that place where you truly feel blessed for everything you have been given. Sometimes after those really difficult days, it seems impossible to cut my way through to the good. But those are the times it really pays off. Call it prayer, meditation, or just powerful thought. Whatever the label, it's critical to positive emotional thriving. In fact it worked so well for me, not only did I do this at night, but soon found myself adjust my daily attitude. Every day I'm in the gym training, teaching a class, or working with a client, I remember how much I have. I try to remind my clients to do the same. In turn, my amazing clients remind me by their actions to be thankful. I have had several clients over the years that have faced far greater struggles than I have. From battling cancer, managing diabetes, grieving the death of a loved one, or even trying to help fight off an unknown disease of a child. It is these clients who are able to come in with a smile on their face and positive attitudes that are my heroes. Even if they can't workout every day, they try to make it in for as many sessions as they can. It is always amazing and inspiring to see their smile and to witness the exhilaration at rising to meet life's challenges as well as another exercise session with an appreciation for what they have and a zest for living. At a lesser extreme, I had a client last week that has a hard time getting in because of her busy schedule. In response to a little too much moping and complaining from her, I reminded her how lucky she was today that she had her health and was able to get in with me and dedicate this whole hour to herself. I reminded her of her blessings and good fortune and just how great today really is. I don't just give to my clients, my clients give to me and remind me how lucky I am every day to do what I do and work with them. The gym gives back to me every day and the open road I run on gives me the same. I remember how lucky I am to be surrounded by so much love from friends and family and that that I'm able to work as hard as I do and I have a healthy and strong body. This type of attitude doesn't always just happen, it can take work... BUT that work is all worth it. Working to keep a positive attitude has helped me overcome massive hardships and losses and it makes me stronger everyday in my life and especially in the gym. It just so happens that Thanksgiving falls in this month, so it's the perfect time to work on being thankful. Let's all try to remember to GIVE THANKS this month and bring that positive attitude and energy into the gym and put it in your workouts. Let's give life our all this month. ITS CRUSH TIME!!!
For me, this past year has been a roller coaster ride, to say the least. I have had so many positive things happen in my life. At the same time, I have had to work through the aftermath of a divorce. Divorce is so incredibly common. But perhaps like most, I never imagined it would happen to me. Even if one knows it is for the best, it seems one cannot escape dealing with feelings of sadness, hurt and disappointment. It is the natural course of human emotion. I've found that the key to getting through it is a positive attitude and a continuous refocusing on a heartfelt appreciation for all the love and good people around me. Throughout the last year I have made a point to remember to give thanks. Every night before I close my eyes, no matter how tough the day, I take a moment to reflect on the good, recollect, and smile. After a hard day of challenges and adversity, it can actually take a lot of mental work to get to that place where you truly feel blessed for everything you have been given. Sometimes after those really difficult days, it seems impossible to cut my way through to the good. But those are the times it really pays off. Call it prayer, meditation, or just powerful thought. Whatever the label, it's critical to positive emotional thriving. In fact it worked so well for me, not only did I do this at night, but soon found myself adjust my daily attitude. Every day I'm in the gym training, teaching a class, or working with a client, I remember how much I have. I try to remind my clients to do the same. In turn, my amazing clients remind me by their actions to be thankful. I have had several clients over the years that have faced far greater struggles than I have. From battling cancer, managing diabetes, grieving the death of a loved one, or even trying to help fight off an unknown disease of a child. It is these clients who are able to come in with a smile on their face and positive attitudes that are my heroes. Even if they can't workout every day, they try to make it in for as many sessions as they can. It is always amazing and inspiring to see their smile and to witness the exhilaration at rising to meet life's challenges as well as another exercise session with an appreciation for what they have and a zest for living. At a lesser extreme, I had a client last week that has a hard time getting in because of her busy schedule. In response to a little too much moping and complaining from her, I reminded her how lucky she was today that she had her health and was able to get in with me and dedicate this whole hour to herself. I reminded her of her blessings and good fortune and just how great today really is. I don't just give to my clients, my clients give to me and remind me how lucky I am every day to do what I do and work with them. The gym gives back to me every day and the open road I run on gives me the same. I remember how lucky I am to be surrounded by so much love from friends and family and that that I'm able to work as hard as I do and I have a healthy and strong body. This type of attitude doesn't always just happen, it can take work... BUT that work is all worth it. Working to keep a positive attitude has helped me overcome massive hardships and losses and it makes me stronger everyday in my life and especially in the gym. It just so happens that Thanksgiving falls in this month, so it's the perfect time to work on being thankful. Let's all try to remember to GIVE THANKS this month and bring that positive attitude and energy into the gym and put it in your workouts. Let's give life our all this month. ITS CRUSH TIME!!!
"Don't pray when it rains if you don't pray when the sun shines."- Satchel Paige
NOVEMBER MUSIC
"I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it." - Groucho Marx
NOVEMBER CLASS SCHEDULE
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