Your Normal Day is Someone Else’s Dream
Dear Collective,
I want to share a thought that has been a reminder for me this week: Your normal day is someone else’s dream.
It is so easy to get fed up or angry with the tiny inconveniences of our daily lives. We get frustrated by a slow commute, a messy house, or a workout that feels "meh." But we often forget that the things we consider "basic" are actually incredibly special.
Think about your morning. You woke up in a warm bed with a roof over your head. You put your feet on the ground and walked over to the bathroom. You had food in your pantry or your refrigerator. Those seem like standard "defaults," but for millions of people, those things are the goal. They are the breakthrough they are praying for.
This really hit home for me recently when a member shared a story. They were at work with some co-workers who are a bit older. Our member was proud of the fact that they can deadlift well over 230 pounds, and they should be. But their co-workers weren't impressed by the heavy bar. They were blown away by the fact that our member could get up off the ground without using their hands.
To us, that’s just normal. To others, that is a superpower.
It is all about perspective. We spend so much time chasing the big stuff that we forget to find gratitude in the small stuff (the basic mobility to move through the world). We take for granted that we can do things effortlessly, while others may struggle on that same task
Gratitude isn’t just about being polite to the universe. It’s about recognizing that the life you have right now is a masterpiece in progress, even with all its messes. It is about realizing that these things don't last forever. Our strength, our health, and our circumstances are things we should celebrate while we have them.
This week, I want you to audit your "normal."
When you find yourself getting angry at a minor inconvenience, stop.
Look at the basic thing you’re doing (walking, eating, sleeping in a bed) and recognize its value.
Be grateful for what you have right now.
And once you find that gratitude, see if you can help the next person find it, too. Help them see something in their own life that is worth being excited about.
With Strength and Wisdom,
Charlie We The Collective Fitness