By Nancy Alexander, PT
A few weeks ago, a woman I didn’t recognize walked into my Buff Bones® class here in Florida. I welcomed her and she told me she had attended my class before but it was a long time ago. She introduced herself to me and I recognized her name right away. She said she had some health challenges since then but felt good enough to come back and try the class. I offered some guidance to her and helped her get set up.
This determined lady did much of the class and rested frequently, too. Though challenged by it, she stuck with it and stayed until the end. She inspired me by coming back to class after such a lapse in time and doing her best. It takes courage to do this. Her reaction was different.
She wasn’t so inspired. I approached her after class and I could tell by her face she was visibly upset. It took her a bit to compose herself. Her face was tense and her hands were up in front of her. She made a fist with each hand, opened them, and then put her hands to her face. Once she lowered her hands, she looked to the floor and said to me, “There is so much I can’t do. How did I get this way?”
“I’m sorry you feel this way,” I said. She stood quietly and composed herself. I so desperately wanted her to see what I saw. It was then that I looked her in the eyes and said, “Flip the script. And do it now.” She looked at me in surprise. I added, “Don’t think about what you can’t do, focus on what you CAN do. Do it, right now. Focus on what you can do and build on it from there.” I provided examples of what she could do, starting with the fact that she had the mobility, not to mention the guts, to walk into this room.
Her face changed. The tenseness started to ease. I went on to say, “We all have our starting points, every one of us. It’s okay. Accept where you are, honor where you are. And then move on.” At the same time, we reached out to one another and shared a hug.
There is no doubt in my mind that she has done some very good things to be where she is at right now. We don’t get to this age without going through some things, right? Sometimes, though, life happens and we forget those things. A friendly reminder never hurts. May she show herself some grace in times like these.
Maybe you know someone who is in this same space. Maybe it’s you. If the latter is the case, please consider showing yourself some grace, too.
The last two years have been hard. You’re still here. Show yourself some grace.
Maybe you’ve made some bad decisions about your health lately and you’re beating yourself up over that. End the destructive self-talk now and put it all in the past. Today is a new day. Your past does not define your future. You define your future. Show yourself some grace.
Your body has taken you to this point. It’s taken you through life. It’s magnificent! Show yourself some grace.
This holiday season, be kind to yourself. Show yourself some grace each and every day. Count all of your blessings. Be grateful for what you CAN do. Flip the script and give yourself the power to make tomorrow even better.