December is upon us, and while some of us are welcoming a slightly busier season, with more social gatherings and time to connect with friends and family, many of us are still keeping our circles small, limiting travel, or staying close to home. If you’re a person who’s always shown your gratitude through the things that you do for and with others, it can be a bit of a conundrum. What is your love language? Maybe it’s something you know intuitively, maybe it’s something you’ve never considered before, but love languages are the ways we express and receive love. The five love languages are: words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch.
As Pilates instructors, we are fortunate to be in a position to demonstrate our gratitude every day on the job by helping others–helping them move their bodies more efficiently or effectively, helping them get stronger, helping them do things they never imagined they could do. Acts of service are ways of showing appreciation and gratitude to and for the people in our lives.
We know that actions can speak louder than words. It’s become a tradition at Retrofit Pilates that each December we raise awareness and collect donations for the Redwood Shelter. Last year, when we weren’t able to celebrate the season together, Retrofit clients gave more generously than ever in the form of monetary donations, winter clothing and other gifts, and we couldn’t have been prouder of our Retrofit family. It speaks volumes that our community steps up for others less fortunate and in times of need. We hope that as the challenges of the pandemic continue for so many, you will join us again and show up for the Redwood Shelter this holiday season.
Between Christmas and New Year’s we will be offering a slightly pared down holiday schedule, but the studio will be open and we look forward to spending the time with you, online and in person. Some of our traditions may have evolved, but you can count on a festive atmosphere and opportunities to share in the spirit of the season.
It’s a tribute to all of you that so much generosity is on display every day, from the client who helps a new person set up their reformer for the first time, to the friendly face who brings a hot tea for Client Services, to the regular who takes an extra minute of two at the end of class to clean up errant props in the studio. We see you, and thank you all for continuing to be a part of this community–your presence is a gift. At this time of year, any one of us can easily feel stressed or overwhelmed. It can be a relief to put some of our collective focus outside ourselves–and the most powerful acts of service are those that are done spontaneously or without asking. Acts that supersede expectations. Simple gestures like shovelling the walk for a neighbour, running an errand for a friend, showing up with some holiday baking, or just a friendly ear, can ease the burden for others and make us all feel a little more connected.
Season’s Greetings from the entire team at Retrofit!
-Pam
