Tuesday, August 10

Motivation Is Contagious...


...so do your best to catch it and spread it around!

I love meeting motivated people and finding out what drives them. I know it sounds silly, but when I encounter a positive person, and realize they're excited about life too, it's like meeting a long lost friend -- a kindred spirit.
My most recent experience like this was with Chad. He is the dad of my son's fabulous girlfriend, Elizabeth; and we all met this past month when Beth and her family spent a week here at the beach. First let me say how much of a relief it was to find out her family is just as wonderfully quirky as our own. I immediately liked them. Perfect and "normal" people scare me because I know there's something funky going on when no one's looking. There were no airs being put on...they were just nice people with whom I enjoyed great conversation.

So back to the story. I quickly learned that Chad had lost about 85 pounds in the last year, as had Carol, his wife, who is teeny now- so it was hard to imagine her as anything but small.
Let me tell you why I was so motivated by Chad specifically. He's an IT guy (that translates into "computer geek" for those who are not computer geeks), so he's pretty much trapped in an office space most of the day. Many people would use that as an excuse for being inactive, but not Chad. He literally mapped out a path through what he refers to as "The Cube Farm" (through the offices and cubicles) - and began walking it every day -- 1 lap during a morning and an afternoon break, and 2 laps during lunch. It totals about 3 miles! So instead of being held back by what many would see as a stumbling block, he made stepping stones! I love this kind of thinking!
Even better is that other people, seeing him walking around every day, began to walk with him!
But wait...there's even more. The workers came together and joined a "pound for pound" challenge, losing pounds of weight and donating pounds of food to a food bank!
The story of Chad and the Cube Farm once again shows us all that we never know how far-reaching our actions can be, whether good or bad. Let's all do our best to send out waves of kindness, motivation, and positivity. Who knows what great things we can create!
***The photo at the top of this post is the actual map of The Cube Farm*** Thanks Chad!

19 comments:

BLOGitse said...

Great post!
I know what you mean about motivation.
I set a goal for myself, started to work for it and since this Monday I've been active with my camera and slowly become more familiar with it. :)
I'm curious to learn new things but because time is limited I try to take it easy and enjoy - not to stress myself.

I'm in from Java's FF, nice to meet you,
have a great weekend!

Candace said...

What a great motivational story, Michele! Thank you for sharing it! Have a great weekend, Candace

Ellen aka Ellie said...

There's a quote, I think it was Theodore Roosevelt, but it's too early to research..."Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."

Okay, I probably got that wrong, but the gist of it remains.

Great for Chad! And a great reminder. Of course, I can research, I have a computer in front of me and I am sitting in my office. So I could have looked up the quote--but I need breakfast first...

:)

Hopped over from Java's spot.

Anonymous said...

Following you back :) Great post and I love to surround myself with positive people --versus a lot of energy vampires that I seem to encounter these days.

Being a former IT geek myself, I love, love, LOVE that cubbie diagram LOL I do something similar at my preschool... I do laps around the playground. I figured out that 20 laps is approximately 5000 steps (my goal is 10,000 steps per day or 2.5 miles) and the kids think it is hilarious.

Have a great weekend!

Jennifer said...

I love "The Cube Farm"!!! Very cute!

First time visitor to your blog from the Over 40 Blog Hop!

Have a great weekend!

Kat's Out o'the Bag said...

That's a great story!! I am glad your 'extended' family is fitting in too.

LBDDiaries said...

Visiting from Java's Never Growing Old Over 40 post - THIS WAS SO INSPIRATIONAL and exactly what I needed today - exactly!! My journey hit a brick wall when we moved and this was just what I needed to kick my bootie back into gear - thank you for posting this story!

Unknown said...

I am so happy to have found your blog. I've been reading here for about 30 minutes. Each post is relevent and positive. Good for you. Come visit us on Steadfast when you have time. It will be a pleasure to get to know you better.
Rosemary

Myrna R. said...

I can always use any form of motivation and your blog always does that for me. Thanks.

Michelle, I'm sharing an award with you on my blog. Can you visit?

Jamie said...

you're awesome Michele. Been following you for a while now, thanks for the follow!

Anna said...

Great idea by Chad! What a motivational story to lose 85 pounds! Thanks for sharing!

mdforkids said...

That really is inspiring, thanks for sharing such a positive and motivational story! I love your blog :)

Miss Rebecca @ Flaming Ichijiku Art said...

Thank you for stopping by! I look forward to reading more posts from you!

Unknown said...

What an inspirational blog, thank you! You stopped by my blog, and I am so glad I stopped by yours. Beautiful!

ZippyChix said...

Great Blog! I love being around positive people. If you spend your time with people who know how to get things DONE, I truly believe that it teaches you how to get things done. We ZippyChix live by the mantras "Work Smart" and "Stay Light and Breezy"! Looking forward to following your blog!

Heather Johnson-Family Volley said...

Great story. Thanks for sharing. Visiting from SITS. Glad to find you.
http://familyvolley.blogspot.com

Karen and Gerard said...

Smart guy here. I have a desk job too so take the stairs, walk around and go outside to walk during breaks.

Stopping by from SITS.

Leanne said...

Yes - motivation is so contagious! I always think, "Nothing Great is EVER achieved without enthusiasm!!" And it sounds like Chad is a pretty enthusiastic fellow! LOVE this post ... I need that map!

Beth Zimmerman said...

This is an awesome post! Great encouragement! I work in an office too and some recent knee problems have made walking difficult. I need to remember to stop making excuses for what I cannot do and find ways to do what I can though! :)