So, for the past few months, I’ve been attending a specific Pilates class three times a week. In this class, I met a lady who initially appeared quite timid, almost shy. She dressed in layers and seemed to purposely stay covered up. Now, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with this, but in a high-intensity class, it can be a bit tough. I noticed her right away because her demeanor was so different from everyone else in the class, who were mostly confident and comfortable in their workout attire. I remember thinking that she looked a little uncomfortable, but I didn’t want to assume anything, so I just kept to myself at first. Over time, I started gradually saying hi to her, working out side by side. As the weeks went on, I began to learn more about her. Small talk turned into longer conversations before and after class. We discovered we had some shared interests, and I found myself looking forward to seeing her each week. It was a slow process, but I could feel a connection forming between us. I just wanted to make her feel comfortable and welcome in the class, hoping that she’d eventually open up and feel more like herself.
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Turns out she was a married woman with three kids, and her husband was a stay-at-home gamer. He brought in no income and apparently always told her that her clothes were ‘getting tight’ and that she should consider ‘hitting the gym more often.’ I never tried to pry or dig into her personal life, but she vented about it all the time. Each time she spoke about it, I felt this growing sense of anger. What kind of person does that to their partner?! How could someone be so insensitive and hurtful, especially when they should be offering support and encouragement? It broke my heart to hear her talk about it.
As time went on, she began to come into class with a smile on her face. **She started dressing confidently**, and you could just tell that she was starting to find herself, and it was so nice to see! Her entire presence changed. She started standing taller, making eye contact, and participating more actively in the class. It was like watching a flower bloom. You could tell that she was rediscovering her passion, her strength, and her confidence.
Well, last week, she came in, and we did class, and all that went well. Afterwards, she said, ‘Hey, so I did something crazy!’ I asked her what she did, and she said, ‘**I finally decided to leave him**.’ I was shocked, but also filled with a strange sense of vindication.
She continued, ‘And I wanted to thank you for helping me find myself again and being kind to me. It helped me learn my worth and gave me the courage to stand up for myself and take care of me for a change.’ Hearing her say that was incredibly touching. It made me realize that sometimes, the smallest acts of kindness can have a profound impact on someone’s life. I was happy to have played a role in her journey, even if it was just by being a supportive presence in her Pilates class.
And I honestly didn’t realize I made such an impact, which on one side is beautiful, but on the other, I feel like I caused a divorce. But at the same time… it’s more so her husband that caused the divorce; I just like to think I helped someone understand their true worth. Ultimately, she was the one who made the decision to leave. I just provided a safe space and encouragement for her to rediscover herself. It’s a bittersweet feeling, knowing that I played a role in such a significant life change, but I truly believe that she made the right decision for herself and her happiness. I can only hope that she finds peace and fulfillment in her new chapter.
