Unexpected benefits brought by our actions

As I poured my morning cup of coffee, my phone’s text alert sounded. It was from my client, Gina, whose workout was scheduled for that afternoon. Reading the message, I was immediately alarmed. It said, “I need to cancel. I foolishly fell off a ladder, and I think I broke my ankle. I’m in the emergency room now. It was so stupid. I feel like an idiot.”

Gina’s self-diagnosis wasn’t exact, but she wasn’t far off. X-rays revealed two fractures, one in each bone of the lower leg, the tibia and fibula. One was a clean break, but the other was a spiral fracture that wrapped around the bone like a corkscrew. Surgery would require plates and screws to realign and stabilize the fibula.

I check in with her weekly to see how she’s doing, and yesterday her text read, “I am super glad for the work we’ve done. I have arm strength for the crutches, I can stand up from a chair with one leg, and I maintain my balance with this lop-sided boot. Everything you have done with me has led to all this being doable.” Additionally, her doctor, pleased with her progress, said she can keep her travel plans to Cabo San Lucas for her favorite niece’s wedding.

Neither of us could have predicted that her hard work in the gym would serve her in this way, but we’re both grateful for these unexpected benefits.

Gina’s experience serves as a reminder that the actions we take today, both in our own interest and the interest of others, can yield unexpected benefits down the road. Lending a helping hand to someone in need, providing a shoulder to cry on, or truly listening to someone with differing points of view can yield blessings in the short and long term.

It’s easy to feel weighed down and criticize ourselves for not “doing enough”, not fulfilling our endless list of “shoulds,” and discounting the good we do. My wish is that we’ll take time to reflect on how our open-hearted actions provide solid ground for others to stand on and appreciate ourselves accordingly. Equally important and rewarding is to consider who has shown up for us and to express our gratitude to them.