My Journey With Health And Fitness – Doing The Right Thing

Ok, I have to vent a little. I was at my bootcamp class this morning (and it was a good one) and it was a reasonably small class. As a matter of fact the row I was in only had myself and a young woman. Unfortunately the woman was a mirror hog. I’m sorry I just don’t understand how someone is so inconsiderate that they constantly block you from following yourself in the mirror. Seriously, if I repositioned myself she would step in front of me. I think if I am in that situation again with her I am going to politely point out her behaviour.

I truly believe in doing the right thing, it is the way I was brought up. I think that is why I do so much volunteer work in that I can afford to give my time to help others (ok quite frankly the available time I have is negligible at this point). I was always told if you think you have things bad remember there is always someone who is worse off. Growing up it was always instilled in me that doing the right thing for others was the best thing that you could do and that has stuck with me.

This morning I went out for a 5am walk (bootcamp isn’t until 8am on Saturdays) so I hit the promenade at around 5:30am. As I started out I noticed a few people walking in front of me and one gentleman walking towards me but that is not unusual for this time of day. I then noticed smoke coming out of a garbage can and then I realized as I got closer that there were actually growing flames! Of course I immediately called 911 and arranged for the fire department to attend the fire and while waiting for them I kept walking back and forth so that I would be around when they arrived to advise them what I saw. My biggest concern was that this garbage can was surrounded by a bunch of brambles that is often treated with chemicals by the railway. The fire department arrived quickly and so I was off to finish my walk.

As I was walking I got really frustrated. At least 5 people walk by that smoldering/burning garbage can before I got there. All of them seemed to have decided to ignore the situation. Had those brambles caught on fire there could have been significant damage to our beautiful waterfront and then what? Where would be doing our walking and enjoying this type of scenery? I was truly not happy until my way back along the promenade when an older fellow whom I often say hello to and occasionally chat with stopped me and asked if I was the one that made the call. I confirmed I had but did voice my frustration at people ignoring the situation and what could have happened. He told me he knew it was likely me that made the call and thanked me profusely for taking the time to care. Ok, that may have made me feel a bit better.

Ultimately it doesn’t take that much effort to do the right thing. Take for example you are in a restaurant and they under charge you. For me I look at it in the light of if they had over charged me I would have pointed it out to them so doesn’t that make me obligated to do the same if they made an error in my favour? Quite frankly I believe it does but then again, that is what was drilled into me growing up.

And so, I hope I will always do the right thing.