To Inspire or Be Inspired

Most of my friends say I'm fortunate because I work for myself. Some say they admire my dedication to something that has been created from almost nothing. Sure there are bad days, ones where'd I'd love to pull out my hair, lock the door and not let anyone in, or even stay asleep in my warm bed dreaming my dreams.

If I did that, what sense of accomplishment would I have that day? Probably none. So rather each day when I walk in the door, although I know I'm going to work my butt off, I wonder if I'm going to inspire someone, but I also wonder which face is going to be the one who inspires me.

For me, it's almost the same debate of, what came first, the chicken or the egg? When I demo push ups, I hear a cheer from the sideline, but when I see their's I smile for their success. When I grab a pull up or two between rest periods I catch their glance, but when I see their's my eyes light up in their completed effort.

When the daughters come in and ask to be lifted to the bar to do their pull ups, I gladly raise them just to see the satisfaction of accomplishment on their face. When I replace the heavy kettlebell for snatches and she doesn't realize it but gets the lift anyway, I smile at her success and laugh with her when I tell her the true weight. When she's just added together the weight of both dumbbells that she pressed overhead, and says that's half my bodyweight, I reflect on the feelings of confidence she just recognized. When her email calls me her shero, and that same day she gets a PR in pull ups, the roles reverse themselves because she has worked so hard. When she tells me that her workouts have made the last four months worth everything, I appreciate her dedication.

It's at these moments and so many others, that I am inspired. To inspire or be inspired...well I'd never be able to choose, they play off of each other. What comes first, the chicken or the egg?