Learning to accept love is a huge step toward spiritual fitness. Chris Forte shares his experience.
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Giving and Receiving is an Art. The Universe is trying to teach that it can work perfectly once understood. I had that experience this morning. It came after years of learning this art of giving/receiving myself, and continuing to learn. Part of my spiritual fitness lifestyle is to be awake, aware, conscious, and present. When these elements are in place, joyful living aligns and experiences like the one I had this morning will become an everyday experience.
I left my house at 7:30 this morning for my 8:30 am yoga class. My plan was to get a shot of wheatgrass from Try it Rawd, then go to grocery store to buy a case of Smart Water and be to the studio by 8:00 for a ten minute meditation and a fifteen minute stretch. After I left the grocery store, I saw this guy walking across the field towards Jax Car Wash. I get my car washed there once in awhile so I recognized him. I rolled down the window and said, “You need a ride?” He took me up on the offer. We introduced each other–his name is Nick–and he seemed very happy. He had a box of doughnuts and went on to say that he and his partner (didn’t know there were partnerships at a carwash; learn something everyday) had a monster day yesterday–they had each made $200 in tips. He wanted to share that happiness by buying everyone doughnuts that worked at Jax’s–The Art of Giving.
As we were about to pull in he said, “Let me get you a free car wash.” It was 7:50 and I knew if I said “okay” I would miss meditation time–but it didn’t matter. This was an opportunity for me to be open and receive. As he went inside to get me a ticket, time ticked away. When he came back, I said, “I’ll probably just do the exterior. I don’t want to be late to my class,” as there was a long line. He said, “I would love to wash your floor mats for you. Whatever you choose, I’ll meet you to wipe down your car.”
As my car was coming up I decided to get out and do the full deal. When I walked into the office I saw so many happy workers eating doughnuts, getting ready for the day. That was a true joy in itself for me because I felt a part of that experience. What was more joyful was seeing Nick taking so much pride in my car and floor mats. At that moment he was practicing the art of giving and I was practicing the art of receiving.
Once my car was finished I looked in my wallet and I had $8 bucks for a tip. I normally tip $4, but hey, this one was on the house. When I went to give the tip to him, he said, “No chance!” but I insisted and he gave in, saying, “I’ll give it to my partner.” I made it to yoga by 8:10–enough for my morning stretch. I think that experience was worth missing a ten minute meditation.
The commitment to living a spiritual fitness lifestyle is challenging, and then you have these types of breakthroughs and there is no turning back. Living a life fully awake, aware, consciously living. Being Present. Thanks, Nick, for being my teacher this morning.
Live Brave,
Chris
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This article originally appeared on Chris Forte
Photo credit: Getty Images