The Moral of the Story: Life Lessons from Thanksgiving, Elephants, and Date Days
Hi, friends! Let me take you on a little journey through the past few weeks of my life. This blog post is inspired by a theme I’ve been reflecting on lately: "The moral of the story is…" Sometimes, life serves up these small, beautiful lessons when we take a moment to pause and pay attention. So grab a cozy drink, and let’s dive into the stories and the life lessons that came with them.
Go On the Trip
A few weeks ago, I celebrated Thanksgiving in Minnesota—and let me tell you, it almost didn’t happen. Work was busy, Roy had to stay behind, and the thought of coordinating everything felt overwhelming. But then, our member and friend Cesar gave me a reality check. He reminded me that when he visits his family in the Philippines, it’s a long flight and usually a $2,500 plane ticket. Meanwhile, I was debating a quick, affordable flight to see my family. That hit me hard. I booked the trip immediately, and I’m so grateful I did.
From catching up with my brother on the drive to Iowa, stopping at the World’s Largest Candy Store, and sleeping like a baby at my aunt and uncle’s farm, every moment was pure gold. We laughed, ate family recipes like “Mabel’s Scalloped Corn” (which, full disclosure, I still find gross), and made memories that will last a lifetime. Sure, the trip was only 48 hours, but the time with my family was priceless.
The moral of the story: Go on the trip. Spend the money. Make the time. Your loved ones and those memories are worth it every single time.
Date Your Partner
After I got back, Roy and I decided it was time to prioritize us. As much as we love running Miami Beach Fit Camp together and sharing a life full of work and routines, we’re terrible at reserving time just for us. So, we cleared an afternoon and headed to South Beach for a walk-and-talk date.
There’s something magical about walking and talking—it lowers our defenses and lets us connect on a deeper level. We strolled through South Pointe Pier, met a sweet family from Brazil, and ended the day with our feet in the water, feeling more in sync than ever. Even Gus got in on the action during another impromptu date, where we had fun with our puppy on the beach, dancing and running around a bonfire made of Christmas lights. Simple, sweet, and oh-so-necessary.
The moral of the story: Date your partner. It doesn’t have to be extravagant; just intentional time together can transform your connection and reignite that spark.
Change Your State
One Sunday, I hit a wall. After a full morning of Fit Camp and looking ahead at back-to-back commitments, I found myself peeling off sandy clothes by the washing machine, crying in overwhelm and spiraling into negativity. But then, I remembered something I always preach: You have the power to change your state.
In the shower, I forced myself to list everything I was grateful for, out loud. At first, it felt forced, but soon, the gratitude started to flow. I shifted my mindset, and decided to act it out too. I turned on “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” danced with Roy, and enjoyed losing myself in the fun and music. A total change and I ended up feeling lighter and more capable.
The moral of the story: Gratitude is the chain that pulls joy from the depths of your soul. Fight to change your state, even when it’s hard. It’s always worth it.
Start Your Day with Joy
If you’ve ever been to one of our classes, you’ve probably heard “Good Morning” by Max Frost blaring from the speakers to start the workout or during the warmup. It’s my ultimate power song, and according to my Spotify Wrapped, it’s been my top song for three years straight. Starting my day with an empowering soundtrack sets the tone for everything that follows.
But it’s not just about music; it’s about inspiration. Think about those days when you wake up feeling stuck or unmotivated. If you don’t intentionally set the tone for your day, you might carry that energy forward, limiting your potential. Now, imagine starting your day with something uplifting—a song, a story, or a powerful thought. Those better ideas can crack open the possibilities of your day, inspiring you to rise above your current mood and become a better version of yourself.
For example, there have been mornings when I felt sluggish, doubting my energy for the day ahead. Then I’d hear an inspirational story or blast “Good Morning,” and suddenly, everything shifted. That spark led me to accomplish twice as much as I thought possible—to connect with people more deeply, to show up fully for my workouts, and to end the day proud of what I achieved. Starting the day with joy is like lighting a torch that guides you through the hours ahead, fueled by positivity and purpose.
The moral of the story: Start your day with joy. Whether it’s a power song, a podcast, or a few moments of quiet gratitude, choose something that fuels your spirit. Better ideas lead to better actions, and better actions lead to a better you.
Create Your Ideas
This past week, I visited the incredible art installation the “Great Elephant Migration” during Art Basel. These life-sized elephants, crafted from an invasive weed in India, took my breath away. Standing there at sunrise, surrounded by these majestic creations, I couldn’t help but marvel at the power of human creativity.
Someone had an idea—a wild, beautiful idea—and they saw it through to completion. That’s no small feat. It inspired me to think about the ideas I’ve let slip away and challenged me to bring more of them to life. With the new year coming up, I want to be braver and bolder to take the ideas that show up in my brain all the way to the finish line.
The moral of the story: When you have an idea, treat it as a divine nudge. Your community, your world, might need that idea. What if you're the hands and feet of god? Dare to create.
Wrapping It All Up
Life is full of little lessons, often wrapped in the most unexpected moments. Whether it’s traveling to see family, carving out time for your partner, finding gratitude in a tough moment, starting your day with joy, or bringing an idea to life, these moments shape us and remind us of what truly matters.
As we close out 2024, let’s commit to showing up—for ourselves, for our loved ones, and for the ideas that light us up. And if this blog post resonated with you, let me know! I’d love to hear your stories and lessons, too.
Until next time, keep slaying your day and finding the joy in it all.
With love,Kristen
