UN/EXPECTED JOY //
In life, of course, there are things we expect to happen and things that we don’t. That’s a pretty plain observation and statement I’ll admit, but there are situations when people seem to forget it. I’ve thought about it in different scenarios and, as a coach and trainer, I’ve observed it often when leading workouts. The people attending have chosen to come to a fitness class so they know that they are going to be pushing themselves, exerting, sweating, etc. That’s what they expect; that’s the challenge they came for and that’s the challenge they know they’ll be getting in the form of squats, pushups, whatever it may be. What I find thought-provoking, and toughest for people, is when unexpected challenges come along. Because an unexpected challenge is a true challenge. If you know something is coming, you’ve mentally prepared yourself to some degree. If you don’t know it’s coming then you’re truly confronted when it stands before you—a real test. The truth is that the majority of the most arduous challenges in all of life are the ones we don’t expect, that blindside us out of the blue. Therefore, I design my workouts to always have both expected and unexpected challenge so people can be ready for anything life throws at them.
Another good example of the Expected/Unexpected dichotomy is Joy. There is expected joy: special events with loved ones, seeing stunning sights, dancing the night away, reuniting with a partner, and so on. Most of us are fortunate to know many instances where we have felt, and hopefully continue to feel, joy. We expect it in these circumstances and it’s wonderful. But there’s also unexpected joy and that, you could argue, is the more enjoyable of the two. Times when we’re surprised, when we don’t think we’ll be in awe and wonder and a joyous state but we get to bask in it anyway. It’s like a birthday gift; some of us would probably just rather find out their present ahead of time, but most know and embrace the unique joy of a surprise.
What made me think of it was this: I went foot traveling (a casual mix of running and hiking) with my dear friend Gregory Gourdet the other day in Forest Park and he was (not surprisingly) recognized by a sweet mother and daughter duo that we passed on the trail. They came out that day expecting to feel the joy of being in nature, moving their bodies, spending quality time together, listening to Balch Creek; they went home glowing from the unexpected joy of meeting someone as lovely and inspiring as Mr. Gregory Gourdet himself. They stopped, eyes dancing with excitement, and asked if he was who they thought. He confirmed with shy laughter. I good-naturedly pressured him into taking a picture with them, and he obliged, a huge, warm grin stretched across his beautiful face. You could see the excitement in their faces too; it was a sweet moment, standing there on the trail, beneath the leaf and canopy. God love GG, god love them all.
But what struck me the most was my unexpected joy in seeing them experience the unexpected joy of standing beside Chef Gregory. Despite it being a magical moment, it’s not unique. I’ve witnessed it before, many times.
It’s possible to be one of those people who brings joy into other’s lives, with your simple presence alone. How do you do that? Well, my best answer is that you lead with love, follow your passions, go hard at your dreams. Actions inspire, word spreads. Some people get famous for it, others don’t, but that matters not. The energy that comes from living in his way is tangible, felt by others, like warming hands at a fire; infectious, magnetic, contagious, in all the best ways possible. Be the source, a fire for somebody’s cold hands, and continue to expect the unexpected.
-Willie McBride
