Yesterday was a tough day. It started with writing what felt like an endless stream of checks as I took care of some life expenses along with tax day. This brought on a minor freak out about getting serious about financial planning and being more responsible about the big picture. And then Boston happened and I couldn’t think about anything else for the rest of the day. I couldn’t focus, I felt exhausted and I was all over the place emotionally.

I woke up this morning with my heart still heavy but feeling a sense of hope as read and heard about incredible acts of kindness going on not only in Boston but all over the country to support those impacted. I taught my morning yoga class with a message of kindness. I told them if you can do nothing else, just be kind. Be a good person. Love each other, help each other. The Dalai Lama claims his key motivation is love and his religion is kindness, saying “Love and kindness are the very basis of society.  If we lose these feelings, society will face tremendous difficulties; the survival of humanity will be endangered.”

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And then after class I checked my phone and saw a message that an old co-worker who is a gifted athlete and talented trainer was badly injured in the bombings. Her husband suffered minor injuries and her sister is in intensive care and has gone through an amputation. The two sisters were at the finish line to cheer on their mother who was running the race. I have been in shock all day. I can’t believe it. I’ve been working with our community of athletes at Metro to find a way to rally around and support the family. It’s been amazing to see the entire Charlotte fitness community take action but I’m still just so sad that we are even in this situation and that one of our own, one of our brightest, is down. I can’t even fathom what recovery is going to be like for her after multiple surgeries and two broken legs.

I know I’m not alone in saying this but running is my refuge. It is an outlet that makes things seem okay. A way to let go and release. It’s something that makes you feel good and accomplished. Boston is a dream that many runners work towards for years and years. I cannot believe that all of that hard work and determination was overshadowed by this act of violence. And that those who were standing at the finish to celebrate the achievement of their loved ones were impacted so terribly.

To circle back to the beginning of this post, the big picture stuff is important. You need to have goals, dreams and a plan for getting you there. But the every day stuff is so important too. Today is real life. Tomorrow will come but you have to live today. The actions you take every single day are important. The way you treat others. The way you treat yourself. I beg you, if you can do nothing else…be kind and compassionate. Do not take pleasure in seeing others fall down. Don’t spend all of your time looking back at what you wish you could change or looking forward to what you wish would happen.

Live a good life and be a good person right now. My thoughts are with the Boston marathoners, spectators, volunteers, fire, police, city residents and all others impacted by the Monday’s unimaginable events.