It’s Tough out Here.
As we come into this holiday season that looks quite a bit different this year, I know many of us are sad, some are broken-hearted, we’re anxious and all of us are being stretched past our comfort zone. Worry for family members and friends that are being affected by world events, political division, fractured family relationships, financial difficulty and housing instability are all just adding to the load we normally carry. If you’re like me, you’re worried about your adult kids too! (you never cease being a parent)
You never know what someone else is going thru, but if it's like most Americans right now it's not easy street by any means. And yes, we are coming into an election year where American citizens are still arguing about what the truth is. This is a very sobering time, yet maybe it can help us redefine what is important to us individually and collectively— and how we can learn to be authentic, empathetic and kind in this moment and continuing ahead.
If today finds you fearful and anxious, let someone know. If someone asks you "how are you doing?", take a chance and be honest with them. Just speaking about what's going on can help us de-compress and feel less burdened, and you never know what may happen when you just speak the truth. And let’s all be ready to really listen and to do something for someone else in whatever way we can—it could just be a smile, maybe a hug—to intentionally look for those opportunities everyday. Many people around us in stores and on the street feel invisible and disconnected, and we can honor them with direct eye contact and a greeting, helping them feel seen and appreciated. Maybe buy coffee for the person behind you in line, go ahead and give some spare money to that person on the street (honestly, who cares what they’re going to do with your 2 or 3 bucks?)—and be sure to look into their eyes and ask how they are doing. We can all thank our cashier or grocery stocker or any service worker for being there for us, we can drop off flowers or a meal for a shut-in on our street, and how about taking time to talk to the young person who knocks on our door to raise money for their cause?
Living a healthy life is not just about what you do for yourself--eating healthy real food, getting regular exercise, practicing self-care and all the areas I help my health coaching and personal training clients refine--its how you treat the people that cross your path everyday. (and the creatures!) When we take the time to notice, to reach out with kindness and care to someone else, we are being kind and caring to ourselves. It is a daily reminder that we are all in this together, we need to depend on each other—and political, social or racial divisions don't matter when people are hurting and just need to be seen and heard. We may not agree with them on every subject, our backgrounds may be completely different, and we may be fearful of the “other”, but this is how we begin to heal and unify this country right now and expand healthy outcomes for everyone---reach out today to someone in need of love. Fear divides, love unites.
xoxo! Carol
**Today is Small Business Saturday, and that’s me too! So I’m offering a Holiday special—get a free Initial Health Assessment, normally $100, when you buy a package of 10 Personal Training sessions! And if you purchase a 90 Day Energy Recharge or 6 month Wellness and Nutrition Coaching package, the Initial Health Assessment is also free! The Health Assessment takes a comprehensive look at past and present health history, lifestyle factors as well as analyzing a 3-day food and drink log. Based on this input, and your stated health goals, I’ll recommend the needed steps to help you achieve your goals and start feeling amazing! This would make a Fabulous gift—for YOU or Someone Else you Love! Contact me!-I’ll even wrap and mail or deliver a Gift Certificate (if you’re in Nashville)