being special

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Added: Tue. Aug 10, 2010 9:03pm
Posted in: Clermont

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last week a member was made to feel very special and welcomed, and i was so grateful to witness such thoughtfulness:

a 6:00 orientation of mine was stuck in traffic and running late.  by the time she actually arrived at the gym, the session would have been almost over and we were forced to reschedule.  still wanting to get a workout in but unsure of what to do, i pulled out a class schedule for that evening and encouraged her to try something new.  her options were Zumba & spinning (neither of which i have any experience in).  an avid runner, she chose spinning and we headed back to the spin room to help her pick out a bike.  on the way we ran into Beth (who not only enjoys spin, but teaches it!  lucky us).  she was on her way to ZUMBA... (not-so-lucky us)

once the two ladies were introduced, Beth offered to help my new friend get set up.  "i've got 10 minutes before my class starts - i'd be happy to help" was what she actually said.  the member was grateful (and me too) and when i checked on them a few minutes later Beth was showing her handle positions and setting a great foundation of information for a sucessful class.

thanks to Beth, our new friend came out of that first class invigorated and excited for more.  what could have been a frustrating struggle became, instead, an eager new "spinner" (is that what they're called?)!  when we do something so often it becomes routine, we can forget how intimidating it might be to a newcomer.  that Beth was willing, make that EAGER, to help changed the outcome completely.

we FEEL special when someone makes an effort to help us.  if you're struggling or even curious about something - ASK.  someone will help.  

we can BE special when we look around to help those who need it - if you see someone looking like a fish out of water, make them feel like they belong.  

(thanks Beth, for living by example!!!)