When the Student is Ready, the Teacher Appears

Introductionr
In my experiences within the health and fitness industry, much time is spent expending energy to encourage clients to get involved in physical activity, sound nutrition, and related lifestyle commitments. It is business and, as such, we may not always set the example that we wish for others to follow. Further, we may miss the opportunity to instill these healthy habits in those whom we love most. This is just as important for us and for those we love, but we tend to just get busy. The story below illustrates this and provides a powerful lesson of how we are all surrounded by several things that may need greater attention that we may have originally surmised.

Settings Goals… & Then Surpassing Themr
Each and every one of us has something that we truly want out of life. Whether it be more rewarding relationships with family and friends, a better job, more leisure time or even a better body, no matter what your goals may be exactly it’s crucially important to realize that they will never be met unless you take the painstaking yet rewarding steps to strive to achieve them.
Sometimes this motivation comes from within, but far more often it takes a loved one or teacher of some sort to inspire you to achieve your true potential. Regardless of how you eventually get there, the primary lesson you learn as you travel down this path is that the most incredible feelings of accomplishment come not from just achieving your goals, but surpassing them.
What follows is the inspirational story of a young child whose true potential was unleashed, merely when she had the proper assistance. Though a simple tale of setting goals which were only attained after the necessary hard work was put in, the determination of her example can be applied to anything you desire in life.

The Fitness Testr
Abbie was given her first fitness test in school when she was nine years old. As soon as she got home that fateful day she barged through the door and rushed up to her dad’s side, eager to share with him her results. He put down his newspaper and pulled Abbie onto his lap. As he glanced over her fitness report Abbie described the various exercises that they had been tested on that day.
First they had to run four laps around the soccer field, which had been really hard for Abbie. She told her dad that she tried to keep up with everyone else but that her legs had gotten too tired and that she couldn’t breathe very well; however she was able to finish the mile in 12 minutes and 13 seconds. The fitness goal for the class was 10 minutes.
The second test was how many curl-ups they could do. Abbie had only been able to do eight, but the goal was 20. The final test had been push-ups, of which she could do only 10. Again with this test she had fallen short of achieving the set goal for the class.
Abbie’s teacher; Ms. Hatch had set realistic goals for the class. If the students ran an 11 minute mile, did 15 push-ups and 20 curl-ups, they would get to write their name in their favorite color up on the wall chart. Several of Abbie’s friends had gotten to do this, but of course she did not, which made her feel completely left behind.

Goals Are Like Wishingr
Abbie looked to her dad for reassurance and guidance and although he was supportive of her efforts, he made it clear that she would have to do much better if she really wanted to write her name up on the wall chart. She whined a little bit about how lucky her friends were and then even wished that she was like them. Abbie then asked her dad if he could help her reach her fitness goals. Knowing that this was the perfect opportunity to teach his daughter about hard work and sacrifice and all the rewards that stem from this, he of course said that he would. Right then and there he made her promise that she would exercise hard every single day and always try her best.
Abbie eagerly replied, “When can we start?”