Flexing a New Muscle

I joined a fitness center a few weeks ago. I wanted more of a challenge than just taking brisk walks around my neighborhood. I also wanted to do something in my community that would put me in the company of other people. Of course, not being a regular exerciser, I was a bit concerned about my ability to keep up with the workout I signed up for and worried I would be the only one who couldn’t. It’s one thing to acknowledge one’s shortcomings and fall short in private but another to do it in front of a room full of strangers.

I felt positive at first, easily keeping up with advancing speeds and incline on the treadmill, but I felt a little deflated when the woman (younger than me and obviously quite fit) on the treadmill next to mine started running—with a smile on her face, no less. She ran so effortlessly, she reminded me of a gazelle sprinting across an open field.

I lost my enthusiasm for a moment as I watched her. I can’t do that, I thought. But then I stopped myself. I realized, OK, I can’t do that. So what? I was still at the gym, investing in my health, doing the best I could with the body I have at the age I am.

And in a second, I transformed my experience. I shifted from feeling discouraged and disempowered to feeling content, even happy, knowing I was giving it my all.

Grounding Ourselves in Gratitude

It can be easy to fall into the trap of comparison, to measure our appearance, lifestyle, and accomplishments to those of others. It’s unfortunate because comparison breeds discontent, self-reproach, and envy, often blinding us to our positive attributes and blessings.

There will always be people who have the things we want for ourselves, who possess abilities we no longer have, who have the gifts and talents we wish were ours. But how often do those people look at us, wishing they had what we have, that they could do what we can?

A gratitude practice can quiet those inner, critical voices by helping us become more aware and appreciative of our gifts, talents, and blessings. This simple act will help us build confidence and believe in ourselves. From there, it will be easier to try new things, to take risks, and to give ourselves grace when we’re disappointed by our initial efforts.

Gratitude will also temper comparison and envy by helping us keep our attention on all we have, not on what we lack. Better still, it will help us appreciate and even feel thankful for the good fortune of others. In my case, I felt genuinely happy for the runner on the treadmill next to mine as she powered through her workout. I may never reach her level of fitness, but I’m glad to have her as an inspiration as I work on improving my own.

Each of us is a spiritual being, abundantly blessed with so many gifts and abilities. Living gratefully is the way to celebrate those blessings and keep bringing new ones to life, one step at a time.

This was a Daily Word editor’s letter. To subscribe to Daily Word, please visit https://shop.unityonline.org/subscribe.