A lady came for her weekly appointment at a nutritional center where I once worked. After I took her blood pressure and weight, she leaned into me, almost conspiratorially, and whispered, “I know why I gained weight. I’ll tell you when we get back to your office.”
The lady talked about how her family unexpectedly called to ask if they could stay with her for a few days between their travels. She said, “I’m not your stereotypical mom or grandma. I love my family, but I dislike hosting overnight guests.”
Thinking this lady was using her backstory to divert from discussing her weight gain, I guided the conversation by saying, “Betty (name changed), I can imagine with all of your culinary skill, your guests appreciated your home cooking!”
She offered a knowing smile and said, “Of course, but after they left, I understood something bigger. Initially when they called to ask if they could extend their visit, my patience and compassion levels were stretched. With two adults and children in my home for three days, I know I’ve built stamina muscle and you taught me that muscle weighs more than fat.”
She continued, “Through hospitality, I realized that even though my creature comforts and wants were temporarily compromised, the love in my heart grew. I figure that between gaining muscle through repetitions of patience and compromising, plus my heart increasing in love, this 2 ½ pound weight gain is worth my joy!”
To my reader, I invite you to personalize your own FROG lesson from the lily pad of your life!
Joyful holidays from a chilly pond,
Christina