So often, we get caught up in our day to day routines and forget to appreciate the little things in life. In my Little Things series, I like to honor the details that are making me happy today. Now, I ask my readers to send me a photo and note about what is making THEM happy today.
Jessica from Boston, MA says,
“I don’t have a picture to go with this but it was something that meant so much to me, I have to share…
I’m battling a cold right now and having trouble breathing but this is the first week of my training for a 10k and I can’t start with excuses not run. Needless to say, I have been pushing through it and trying to balance pushing my body and giving it the break it needs to battle the cold.
Today I was struggling up a hill (and I do mean struggling – coughing, gasping for air, as red as a tomato, going super slow) when this guy comes running around the corner and heads towards me. He’s obviously a very experienced and strong runner which is great inspiration for someone like me who still has a love/hate relationship with the sport. The best thing this, though, as he gets closer he can clearly tell that I struggling and rather than giving me a wide birth or ignoring me altogether (as most people in the city as apt to do), he instead puts out his hand for a high five.
I don’t think words can explain exactly how much that high five meant to me. It was motivation to keep going, make it up the hill and finish the run. It was encouragement and support at a time when I really needed it. And it was something that clearly, and profoundly, reminded me of the kindness of strangers and how much something so small can profoundly can change someone’s day. And it made my city, which can pride itself in being rude to strangers, a little bit warmer and more welcoming.
If I ever see him again, I’ll be sure to tell him “Thank you”. And if I ever see someone else struggling through a run, I will offer up my “High Five” and hopefully it will help and support them too.”
You, too, can be a part of “The Little Things: Reader Submissions” page! Send me a photo of one of the “little things” making you happy today, along with a short note. You do NOT have to be a blogger to take part, but if you have a blog, I will link back to you. Send your submissions to savvyjulie@gmail.com, with “The Little Things” as the subject line!
