Today I had the chance to sneak in a workout for the the third time in a week. I know, I know, I’m basically a professional athlete. At first glance this might seem fairly rock solid until I slip in the minor detail these three workouts in a week are also the first three workouts in. a. year.

I remember my college statistics professor saying you can skew numbers any way you want. So let’s just stick with the three workouts in a week scenario, k? Just imagine me with lots of muscles.

Several times during class, the instructor called people out by name, praising them for good form, excellent adjustments, or solid follow through. She said my name a few times ( I mean, of course she did, because I have worked out THREE WHOLE TIMES this year!) and each time I felt an immediate boost. The quick desire to do even better, a straightening of the posture and a renewed focus to power through the rest of class. Even if my thighs were Jello given the whole three workouts in a year sitch.

These simple bits of encouragement caused an immediate response within me that led to immediate action outwardly. Her time investment- maybe six total seconds all class. But I’m still sitting here thinking (and typing) about it.

At the end of class, I bumped into my friend Erica. She had been taking the class with her daughter and I’m guessing both ladies were mesmerized by my insane stamina during the core work, pausing only thirty times to regain muscle control. Maybe less mesmerized as I fought back tears and derrier cramps during the backside work. Derived from what I’ll refer to as Sales-Rep-With-A-Lot-Of-Drive-Time glutes.

Remember the Jello?

As Erica introduced me to her daughter, she mentioned to Claire she has enjoyed reading my stories over the years. Instead of a quick compliment, she mentioned three different stories, including one I’d forgotten about. Again, I felt that familiar jolt I’d just experienced in class. The praise and kind words working something inside of me, making me want to do better, write more often, and share more stories so people might chuckle.

Or be motivated to become the workout queen I clearly am. Either one.

But the writing well has been a little dry, folks. Much like the workout well. I told Erica I feel like my “zip” has been missing for quite some time. We talked for a few minutes about just how bizarre the last year has been for a variety of reasons. I can’t pinpoint if it was Covid chaos or flipping a house or age or raising four kids or returning to work or the season of life we’re in, but at some point in time, my get-up-and-go got up and went. To use my father’s favorite phrase, I feel like my plug has been pulled. I’m tapped out of ideas, lacking in motivation to write, leary of putting anything out on paper.

I tell you this for two reasons:

1. I want to know who else feels plugless or in absence of their zip. I want to know what you’re doing to find the zip or replace the plug to refill. How do you find your joie de vivre, your exuberant enjoyment of life? This is not a rhetorical question written by some obscure blogger. This is a REAL question written by your crazy friend! So spill it, people. If you have zip, you need to be sharing what you’ve been doing to keep it, regain it or steal it. I want in on your info. Please blow up the comments with your ideas. Make the suggestions so plentiful our eyes all grow weary from the hours long reading of all of them.
2. My hope is to start writing again but I should forewarn you. Upcoming posts could include what I bought at the grocery store or how many bugs I washed off my windshield. I fear the content will send you running but Matt has encouraged me to just. start. writing. again. So here goes. Don’t say I didn’t warn you…..

Aside from posting this for the very selfish reason of wanting to know your life hacks, I was also touched by Erica’s kindness. She’s a nice woman and we could’ve shared quick pleasantries and I would’ve still thought her a nice woman. But when she shared encouraging words about something I love, something I have likely been missing, she set something in motion for me. Which leads me to the takeaway portion of tonight’s ramblings.

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF YOUR WORDS. ( I know all caps is basically screaming but I really feel like this should be yelled!!! And triple exclaimed.) Don’t underestimate what it might mean to someone when you take five minutes, or five seconds, out of your day to share something kind. I can think of no scenario where genuine encouragement isn’t helpful. Not one.

Except maybe the time my then five year old looked at me during the Ab Circle infomercial with the most excited face ever and said, “Mom! You could REALLY use that!” That is likely encouragement I could use less of. Aside from that, genuine encouragement is normally wonderfully…..well, encouraging!

Thank you for reading this post. You are appreciated. Now go blow up my feed with your suggestions, you awesome people! ❤️