This isn’t about lifting or physical fitness; but it is about mental fitness. Stretching our mindset can be tough at times; especially when it comes to dealing with others. I had something happen to me on New Years Eve that really through me. Maybe this happens to other people sometimes, maybe often or not at all. But what happened on December 31, 2025 has never happened to me before.

First, let me say that I did something on that day that is very much out of the ordinary for me; I went to Costco. I don’t enjoy going to Costco, but I do when I really need to. But on December 31st; there is no way that I would normally be seen going to Costco. But go I did; and to be honest I can’t even remember why I went. I typically would NEVER go the day before Christmas, New Years, July 4th, Thanksgiving…you get the idea. I don’t like crowds.

I actually just remembered why I went as I was recalling the incident . I went to get new storage bins for my Christmas decorations. I needed them to clean up for the New Year. Okay, that said I headed in to the crowd. I very quickly found the bins; where a young mother was getting her bins. With her little boy in the cart; I stood back and quietly waited my turn. She turned and said “oh, sorry do you want these?” I told her to go ahead and I’d wait my turn. “No, no, I’ll pass them to you,” she said. I said “that’s okay, I’ll wait,” but she insisted.

I thanked her immensely for taking the time to pass me the bins. And as I walked away I thought about how genuinely nice that was. I grabbed a few other things, seeing that I was already in the thick of it and head out. Through the cash, through the security check and out to the parking lot. As many of you know I have been dealing with quite a few arm and hand injury issues lately.

I got to the car and pondered. The bins just fit in the cart and it was now filled with “stuff.” This would take shoulder muscles and both of my shoulders were still on the mend. So I emptied the contents into the back of the car and tried to wriggle my fingers around the edge of the bin. I’m short so my short wing span is often a problem for me. It was raining at the time so I was trying to hurry as there were tons of people wanting my great close parking spot. I then saw a man my way with his cart and he went between me and the car right behind me waiting. I waited for him to pass before hoisting the bins. But he popped up behind me and asked if he could help.

Admittedly I am not one to ask or accept help, but I’m learning to. I said “thank you, yes,” “that is so nice of you.” He very easily lifted all 4 at once and put them into my car. I thank him a lot. So this was #2 nice gesture, strange. I turned to put my cart into the cart area; as I was pondering these nice acts when a woman from several cars over who was putting her cart away, said “here I’ll grab that for you” and grabbed my cart. Again, I thanked her.

Okay, what the hell just happened? I hopped in the car, and looked in the mirror. “How old do I look today?” I thought to myself. Thinking that these gestures were because of me being old. Funny how I was trying to figure out why all these kind gestures had occurred. But now, almost a week after these kind things happened; I think my bar was set very very low. Honestly, I’m not use to these type of things happening; especially not so many in a row.

I was shocked and very pleasantly surprised that amongst the craziness, the crowds and the hustle and bustle; that people took the time to be kind. Kindness is one of the greatest things we can offer others. Just the other day I was talking to one of my grandsons about kindness. I was reminding him that he had told me during CKO (Christmas Kick Off) that he was going to be more kind. He was going to try to always just be more kind; and we talked about what a wonderful thing that was. He has two brothers close in age, so it is not always an easy thing to do. But the fact that he voiced that idea was amazing at only 8 years old.

I was shocked that New Years Eve day; three people offering acts of kindness. But I will try not to be shocked if it happens again and I will try to be even more kind myself. I try to be kind always, but we can all try harder right?

I guess this did have a bit of fitness in it. I discussed my sore arms. ;)

Happy New Year