Nine-year-old Josh Zuchowski and his swimming opponent Reese Branzell, 10, had built up quite a rivalry over the years. The two Floridians were often in the top ten nationally for their age group.
Josh was looking forward to facing Reese in the Santa Claus invitational swim meet. But when he found out his competitor had been sidelined with a mysterious bone infection, Josh became even more determined to triumph.
However, the first-place trophy he inevitably won wasn’t for himself.
He sent it to Reese, along with a note telling him to get well soon “so, we can get back to battling in the pool.”
Josh added that Reese was an inspiration to him, and an athlete he had admired since he was seven.
How beautiful is that! Then, there is the momentum of paying it forward.
This was also in the news.
A waitress found $1,000 cash in the booth of one of her customers. She rushed to return it to the person who she thought had dropped the money.
However, it turned out that she gave it to the wrong customer (who did accept it…).
The man who dropped the money ended up coming back to the restaurant leaving the waitress devastated that she returned the money to the wrong customer.
Guilt must have gotten to the man who wrongly accepted the money and came back the next day. He even gave the waitress a $100 tip for her good deed (or in apology).
When the waitress contacted the patron who the money did belong to, he insisted that the 6-month pregnant waitress keep the entire $1,000.
Then, the restaurant owner insisted on giving that very patron $1,000 worth of free meals.
Good deeds certainly breed more good deeds.
In the spirit of this holiday season, I challenge you all to pay it forward somehow.
Just today, as I was just about done with my early morning run in our beautiful park, I saw a little boy in a Christmas-decorated sweatshirt walking by himself.
I passed him at first. And on second thought, I went back and asked him if he was OK.
He said he was just taking a walk and I ended up talking to him and walked him to his apartment building.
Whether it’s as simple as letting the harried mom with kids in front of you in line at the market or visiting an elderly neighbor who may not have family close by.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa and any other holiday you may celebrate.
Xo,
Jill
“It is our choices that show what we truly are far more than our abilities.”
Live well and love more,
Jill Gordon
CHHC, MHt, MNLP, MTT, MSC, CLC
Certified Holistic Health Counselor, Master Certified Clinical Hypnotist*, Master Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming*, Master Certified Life and Success Coach*
*Board Certified with IBCP (International Board of Coaches and Practitioners)
www.JilltheHealthCoach.com
