BRIGHT SPOTS FRIDAY: Pay it Forward
BRIGHT SPOTS FRIDAY!
In 2008 my dad died. He was only 68-years-old. But he wasn’t a healthy guy. He struggled most of his life with his diet and his weight and as a result found himself constantly battling related issues: Type 2 Diabetes, gout, heart disease. But none of us knew just how sick he was. When he drove himself to Patient First in January of that year because of a nagging cough, he never returned home and on February 28th he was gone.
I knew on some level that it was a defining moment in my life, but at the time I didn’t grasp quite the impact it would have on me as I moved forward. I was 37 at the time and only gave my health and fitness limited bandwidth…sandwiched between a real estate career that I didn’t much enjoy and partying, which I very much DID. But looking back on it, this was clearly a dividing line between the Old Me and the New Me. It’s when I found CrossFit and a new zest for getting fit and living healthier and not only surrounding myself with like-minded, positive people but actually reaping some benefits from those relationships.
We all have defining experiences that help shape who we are and what we are becoming. They’re not all negative; in fact some of the most memorable and meaningful are happy or inspiring. Finding these type of moments with each of you at Nevermore has helped mold our community into the vibrant, powerful force that it is. Every time someone accomplishes a high-skill movement for the first time they are flooded with cheers. With each Level Up on our fitness framework we get to post a fun shout out that celebrates your progess. And for every occasion such as birthdays, weddings and new babies you all have a family of 150+ to high five!
I read a book not too long ago called The Power of Moments, by Chip and Dan Heath. I love this quote from the book: “If you want to be part of a group that bonds like cement, take on a really demanding task that’s deeply meaningful. All of you will remember it for the rest of your lives.” THIS is why I love my job. THIS is what separates Nevermore from the pack!
My Bright Spot this week is realizing we don’t have to wait for defining moments to happen to us. We can CREATE them! We MUST create them. So keep pushing me to build the best damn community in Baltimore. I promise to pay it back and pay it forward!
What is your Bright Spot this week?…