CrossFit Dark Horse

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” – Fred Rogers

In everything we do, we have a choice – to react, or to respond.

A reaction is instant. It’s survival-oriented. It’s grounded in the moment and doesn’t take into consideration the long-term effects of what you do or say.

To react is to let others do the driving. We allow negative events to whip us into a frenzy of panic and despair. We allow others to tell us how to feel, and we throw ourselves fully into feeling it before we’ve actually taken a moment to consider what our true response might be.

To respond allows perspective to enter the picture.

I woke up this morning wondering how I could be of better service. While I am not comparing myself to the men and women who risk their lives defending our health, our safety, or our country, I do feel called to offer something of value to others and the community we choose to create together.

I also think about how trivial, compared to these brave women and men, the sacrifices we are asked as a society to make in service to a greater community good.

The simple act of wearing a mask is an offering, a mark of communal grace, of caring for one another. An easy sacrifice, one that doesn’t actually feel to me like any sacrifice at all. I like doing my part for the greater good. It makes me feel like I’m part of a collective solution. It brings me hope that we can one day move past this separation and be able to gather together again.

The act of experiencing something together in a group is powerful and I miss it. But for me, this is one way I can help.

And I don’t know about you, but I’m looking for all the helpers I can find.