Power of Kindness

Today, I found myself in that in-between space of wanting to crush a run and wanting to curl up on the couch.  I got myself moving by way of walking Bella and, out of the blue, received a text message from a friend up North:

Friend:          About to go for my first run since November and thought of you!

Me:              [ immediately inspired to choose the run over the couch ]

The text conversation went further, but that was the crux of it.  Someone ready to go out for a run (in the cold NH weather) thought of me and took a minute to tell me so.  Shucks.

Heading out for my suddenly-a-great-idea run, Scott offered up, “Hey just take it slow if you have to”.  I overdosed on Valentine’s Day homemade fudge the night before, so was definitely feeling it today.  I replied, “Definitely” as I hit start on my watch and left the house.  No expectations; just getting out to move.

Almost immediately, my run felt easy.  I glanced at my watch a couple times and noticed it was hanging in the 8:20/8:30’s range.  My negative talk shouted, “Your watch is always screwed up; that can’t be right”; my positive talk whispered strongly, “Let the run come to you”.  I respond better to the strong whisper. 

Running within the confines of my gated community, I end up running several loops – albeit changing up the direction at times to keep it somewhat interesting.  Because of this, I passed the same couple people walking.  Several times.  Each time, the man with the salt & pepper beard smiled and cheered, “Nice work young lady, keep it up!” and “Great job!”.  I think I passed them four times in total.  By the last time I saw them, he cheered harder, “Wow, doing great….keep it up young lady!” while clapping and making quite a big deal of my running.  That made me smile so hard.    

I’m big on telling people I appreciate them or something they did.  I also strongly believe in building people up.  When I find myself on the recipient end of that, it really makes my moment/day/run.  Kindness is awesome.  It takes nothing to deliver and BOTH sides reap the reward.