Who will you inspire?
May 2020
I’ve been continuing my push to more walks with my dog, Ollie and trying to get out more during the day. In the past, I’ve grown accustomed to slapping some earbuds in and listening to an audio book or motivational podcast and try and be ultra-productive on any walk I take.
I found this prevented others from engaging in conversation with me for the most part and I could hurry back home to get work done. It was also done so that my old and sometimes terrified Yorkie doesn’t start barking at other people.
Now, with COVID-19 and shelter in place being a reality, I assumed most people don’t want to engage in conversations with strangers, so keeping to my routine would be just fine.
As I almost finished up my walk, I saw an older gentleman walking an equally small dog. He looked like he was talking to me so I removed my headphones and said hello.
His name was Ronnie. I was pleasantly surprised, as his first sentence was, “How are you doing through all of this? I know I’m ready to get back to normal”. I immediately thought of the conference call that I had in 20 minutes hoping that I could make sure the conversation didn’t go on too long, but also engage him in conversation.
In just 5 short minutes, I learned that Ronnie was a bus driver and a retired Marine.
He was kind and very friendly even though he said he was struggling with the isolation a bit. I never would have guessed, that it would impact him that way. I suppose it’s impacted us all in many ways.
I immediately thought, wow, he’s probably gone through hell and back in the Marines, in boot camp and during his time of service.
I’m sure he’s experienced tragedy, loss, difficult times in his life. But this isolation is real and it is still making an impact not on just him, but all of us. I shared with him the quote that I thought fit best… “This too shall pass”. He said, “you know what, you are right, I need to remember that.”
I laughed and told him I need to remind myself of that daily, and sometimes hourly! He laughed.
We briefly chatted about where he lived, that we are practically neighbors and had no idea over the last three and a half years. I asked if he was on Facebook, because a friend of mine had a wonderful page she created that is all about spreading kindness.
The final message that really hit home was when he shared with me this. “Wow, you were out running a few weeks ago and I was so blown away. It was freezing and you were running up and down, at least 2 miles!”
He was shocked that I was running with a twenty pound weighted vest, but I shared how it would make me so hot that I couldn’t fathom wearing a jacket!
He finally said “You really inspired me!” He thought that if I could do that, he certainly could get out a little more. I was surprised., not only did I have no idea he saw me as I am always completely focused on the pavement in front of me when running, I didn’t even consider what I was doing for my own health, could impact someone else like that. It just struck me as a selfish behavior I was doing for my mental and physical well-being.
It certainly taught me a lesson though. A lesson, that you NEVER know who is watching your actions, hearing your words and who you inspire. I think just back to a few weeks ago, when a young child who drew a quote on the sidewalk.
That child inspired me to finally take a leap of faith and start a blog.
Your children are watching how you interact with neighbors, friends, family, etc.
What you say sticks. Sometimes it sticks for a lifetime. I know that I want to always try and be the person that said something that inspired another to do something great, believe in themselves, follow their dreams, act with integrity and be a better version of themselves.
Who will you inspire this week?