In Today's Episode

Today’s workout included an exercise in mindful surrendering and affirming.

I haven’t really seen P__ at the gym lately--I’m sure he’s been there, but I’ve just kept my focus on working out.

Well today, I saw him.

He happened to be working out alongside his gym partner. In close proximity to the machines I needed to use next. I quickly assessed the situation. If I were to go over there I would not be able to avoid him-- well I could, but then that would be... awkward.

I decided to take my time on the machine I was currently on. I even added extra sets with higher reps. When I had exhaused my interest in the machine, I looked up to find them still exercising in the same area. Seeing no other recourse, I made my way over.

With my head down, fiddling with my mp3 player, I got on my machine. But as you’ve probably guessed, the fiddling and the heads down business could only last but for so long. A few seconds later, giving up all pretenses, I lifted my gaze.

He was engaged in conversation with his partner and since I had my headphones on I couldn’t make out what they were saying.

After a few minutes of working out, alternating between machines to maximize my gym time, I began to feel somewhat at ease. Imagine. There was definitely a marked difference between trying to appear busy and nonchalant versus actually being nonchalant and busily working out.

Inevitably, we made eye contact. As he was picking up a free weight, he happened to look up at me at the same time I happened to look down at him while taking a breather before starting a new set of reps.

He smiled. I smiled and followed with a mouthed, “Hello.”

I then resumed working out and he made his way to another part of the gym.

Later on I saw him his reflection in my workout mirror as he made his way towards the Men’s Locker Room.

Instinctually, I once again found myself head down, determined to avoid eye contact, lifting it only when I was certain he had crossed over the threshold.

Some minutes later while doing my cardio, I found myself consciously surrendering thoughts of him while simultaneously thanking the Universe for everything unfolding for my highest good.

Now, I want to clarify that this is my own personal belief for my own life-- the idea of releasing my perception of the now while affirming Divine assistance with the unfolding of the future. Funny enough, now that I think about it, it’s actually akin to releasing perception of the perpetual now.

I sincerely believe that everything unfolds for my highest good and, frankly, the act of consciously surrendering something to forces privy to the bigger picture (God, Angels, Holy Spirit, Higher Self, the Universe) is more attractive and comforting to me than the alternative: damaging my peace of mind with seemingly innocuous but ultimately potentially harmful imaginings. That one word “potentially” is all the encouragement I need to break free when I realize I’ve caught myself in my own web of unhelpful thoughts.

Therefore in this episode, for all involved, surrendering and affirming felt/feels like the “right” and kind thing to do.