Last week’s Monday Message was
about setting a good example so that you can make a positive difference in
“your world” no matter how small that world may be. Normally, I receive comments about each MM I write,
which I really appreciate, but a strange thing happened in that for the first
time ever, I did not receive a single comment. That’s fine, because I know everyone
is super busy, so I don’t expect people to necessarily have time to read my
stories or comment on them. My main goal is simply to write something
interesting that will inspire people to think about… and focus on… the
important things in life. Well, I spent time with someone last week who hadn’t yet
read my most recent Monday Message - and didn’t need to!
His name is Antony and he is a
“Personal Trainer”, but that is not his true profession. Let me explain. I injured my right shoulder playing
baseball (and moving furniture on the same day) about a month ago. It has been
so sore that I’ve had to miss the last 4 games. Two years ago, when I was
training to go to the baseball World Series, I saw Antony on a regular basis
and he got me in the best shape of my life. So, with my shoulder being injured,
I decided it was time to see Antony once again.
The first thing Antony did was
greet me with a great big smile and a huge hug. It was like I was his prodigal son returning from a long-lost
adventure in a foreign land. He definitely knows how to make you feel welcome
in his establishment. In fact, my nickname for him is “Sunshine”. Then he
started with the questions, none of which were about my shoulder. He wanted to
know how things were going with me personally, with my family, my kids, my
business. He wanted to know if I was happy, if my wife was healthy, how often I
was working out, what I ate, if my faith was still my focus, etc. All the while
offering up encouragement and praise. We talked for a long time before Antony
ever touched my shoulder and the entire time he worked on my shoulder he
continued with his positive attitude and encouraging comments. Near the end of
our session Antony was literally pounding on my shoulder with his fist, 40 to
50 times, trying to break up the internal constrictions. The whole time he was
inflicting great physical pain on me, he still kept talking to me and
encouraging me, reminding me of what a great baseball player I was and what a
great player I could still be. Mr. Sunshine sure knows how to multi-task!
Despite the pain of the
physical therapy, I loved my time with Antony. His never-ending positivity and overflowing love for
people inspired me, lifted me up, and healed me in a way I didn’t even know I
needed. I went in for a sore shoulder and came out with a happy heart. Antony
reminded me that sometimes we don’t recognize that the stress in our lives can
easily lead to physical health problems. Antony also reminded me that if we
focus on the important things in life, such as being happy and enjoying the
blessings we have been given, our bodies will respond in the most t positive
manner. Wait…I just realized Antony should be the one getting credit for
writing this week’s Monday Message, so let me make a comment. Way to go
Sunshine!
Wherever you go, no matter what the weather,
always bring a little of
your own sunshine.
~ A. J.
D’Angelo
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