the simplicity of human connection
There’s a man named John who attends group fitness classes at our local YMCA. His teeth are like a forgotten picket fence; his is a mouth of gaps and cracks, all on the precipice of falling in. Even in warmer months, John always wears a navy baseball cap and a thick flannel shirt under a corduroy jacket. His sneakers are tattered, the rubber thinning in the areas where his weight rests heaviest. He sometimes looks like he forgot to eat breakfast or have his morning coffee, having stumbled out to the Y without much care for anything but a punctual arrival.
I first met John accidentally, or at least, not intentionally. I was subbing a fitness class I had no business teaching, helping seniors to move their bodies, sitting in chairs with metal legs and stiff cushions that help to keep everyone upright.
John approached me after class to offer thanks for guiding our movement in the space, which was funny, considering I had little idea what I was doing. But I was pleased he was pleased, and most days, that’s enough. None of us really needs much more than that to feel good.
sharing Gratitude
As the other students filtered out of the class, John got into telling me about his sweet family. About the girls he’d raised, and the daughter he sent to heaven when cancer was too much for her body to bear. He told me about the dozen or so grandchildren he has, and the gratitude he holds near and dear for their continued health and wellness.
“I just want everyone to be happy,” he told me. And he meant it. John did not seem to be a man interested in material wealth or other superficial forms of pleasure. He seemed to be a man simply looking to connect and share his peace with others. He seemed to be simple in his kindness and sincerity.
After 30 minutes, I explained I should get going, but our conversation was so special to me, it lingered well past our interaction. All John offered me were his stories and a little encouragement that I continue working with people.
“You’re great with people,” he said. “We can feel your energy!”
I held John’s words of encouragement for weeks to come.
gratitude and joy in action: the trickle down
A few weeks later, I brought my 7-year-old to the Y. It was during the summer, and I had to teach a class, which meant the kids were home from school and I needed childcare. The YMCA offers this very thing, and LM3 (our third kiddo) was thrilled to “go to work with Mommy,” then hang with other kids in the jungle gym area while I taught for an hour.
When we arrived, John was there, which presented an opportunity to meet LM3. When I saw John from afar, I looked down at my daughter and told her, “You’re going to meet a very special man today!” I was excited to see him, my heart warming at the thought of introducing LM3.
They exchanged hellos and, while LM3 was shy, she was cordial and polite, which made me very proud. We went about our days without more thought. Class went well, my daughter’s playtime was normal, and the day couldn’t have been smoother.
About a week later, LM3 came home from a trip to the grocery store with Daddy, donning a huge smile of her face.
“What happened at the store?” I wanted to know.
LM3 told me she’d seen someone very special at the grocery store, and although she was too shy to say hello to him, just seeing him and coming home with news of the sighting made her feel glad.
“Who did you see?”
“The man from the YMCA,” she said. “That very special man…I saw him buying food.”
The smile on her sweet little face was almost too much to bear. She behaved as if she’d seen a celebrity. LM3 was so excited to tell me about her chance encounter, she looked like she’d seen Taylor Swift.
My heart swelled. This is what I always prayed our lives would become. So special and shrouded in joy that simple encounters at the grocery store enliven our hearts. The love and peace permeating from one soul to another is what I believe life is all about. And I was thrilled to share the moment with Mr. John, even if I wasn’t at the grocery store.
I hope this moment of peace brings some to you. Namaste, friends! Be well.
#peace #4theloveofpeace #peacefulmoments #momentsofgratitude
#YMCA #celebritysightingkindof
#GratitudePractice #MomentsOfGratitude #EverydayGratitude #LivingGratefully #ThankfulHeart #NoticingJoy #QuietJoy #SimpleMoments #JoyInTheOrdinary #SacredOrdinary #SlowLiving #GentleLiving #IntentionalLife #MindfulMoments #SimpleLiving #MinimalLife #MindfulMinimalism #LessButBetter #UnclutteredMind #SimplicityMatters #NonMaterialJoy #Enoughness #Contentment #InnerWealth #SoulfulLiving #ReflectiveWriting #PersonalEssay #LifeNoticed #WritingFromTheHeart
4 the Love of Peace 