There is a very distinct difference in my son Cannon’s energy when he says thank you because he was prompted and when he says thank you because he’s genuinely grateful. He was having trouble getting down a really steep heel with sandals on and he looked at me and asked if I would hold his hand and help him. When we got to the bottom of the hill he said “thank you so much, mama” and he meant it.

 

He was so grateful for the help because it would have been much tougher alone. Lately I’ve been extremely grateful for the help because this part of my life would be much tougher alone.

 

A friend shared a sentiment that proposed the question: if you are holding a cup of coffee and someone bumps into you, making you spill your coffee everywhere, why did you spill your coffee? Too often we are inclined to say “because someone bumped into me!”

 

The truth is you spilled your coffee because there was coffee in your cup. The point of the sentiment was to show that you will always get bumped but whatever is in your cup is what will spill out. Cannon could have been frustrated that he wasn’t able to get down that hill yet. He could have been frustrated that he didn’t have tennis shoes on for a better chance. He could have just sat on his butt and taken a less than desirable way down. Instead, he asked for help and was grateful when he got it.

 

I’ve been getting bumped a lot lately and while there are a couple drops of grief and anger intermingled my cup is full of gratitude. I can’t help but think that’s what all this work has been for.

 

I didn’t set out on this journey of a better, happier, and healthier life so that I could have the easy way out. I knew I’d always be getting bumped. I set out in this path so that in this moments when it seems like there hasn’t even been a break between bumps to take a sip out of that cup that what spills out are things that I’m proud of.

 

There are things and phrases that I learned a long time ago, some I’ve even taught and spoken to others, that I’m just now beginning to understand. When you hear people speak about meditation and yoga you’ll hear them call it their practice. My yoga practice. My meditation practice. These are the tools we have readily available to us to practice, to prepare for the bumps.

 

For me (and science) fitness is about so much more than the outside of your body. What is happening inside of our bodies when we are quiet, focused, and in the flow with ourselves is the practice we need to prepare for the less than desirable moments. Taking the time for yourself will not only make your physical body stronger it will make your inner body strong enough to withstand even the toughest bumps.

 

My practice has made it so that during this bumpy road the things I find spilling out are patience, love, forgiveness, trust, and even joy. Whatever you are practicing, whatever is in your cup is what will spill out. When things get tough, what is going to spill out?

 

Sweat & Smiles (and still practicing),

Melissa

 

Melissa Romano is the creator of You First Fitness a revolutionary style of personal training program designed to make you the expert on your life and body. She is also the co-creator of Balanced You Wellness Retreats. After graduating from West Virginia Wesleyan College she completed 200+ hours to obtain her Professional Certificate of Personal Fitness Training from Pierpont Community College.  Since 2009 she has worked full-time as a personal trainer, group fitness instructor and wellness coach. She believes in functional fitness, healthy lifestyle changes and a holistic approach to a better, happier, healthier life. In 2015 she welcomed her greatest joy and fiercest life lesson into the world, Cannon Cobb. The two of them can usually be found outside or at one of the local parks. Visit Melissa's Web site at  https://youfirst.fitness/ or email her at melissa@youfirst.fitness.