I Feel Sad For Complete Strangers
I have noticed him before. He, like me, is often working out alone at the gym. He is neither social nor anti-social. He's an older guy, but not that old. He seems dedicated to his work-outs, but not obsessive or well-built. Tonight, he seemed sad. To be honest, he seemed sad like me. I smiled at him a few times, but each time he either looked away or didn't see me. Finally, I sat down on the bench next to where he was working out his chest. I looked over at him and smiled. He smiled back and nodded his head. I asked, "how's it going?" He looked down and then over at me and said, "not that well today... one of those bad days" and he smiled, not a happy smile, but one of "quiet desperation." I offered, "yeah, I know how those go." He laid down on his bench and with an audible and determined sigh, began pushing his bar of weights. I pushed ahead on my routine as well.
I ran into him again on the cables machine. He looked like he was going to cry and I related to that feeling. I wasn't sure if maybe I was just projecting my feelings on him for some reason. He asked me how my workout session was going. I said, "pretty good. I'm making some good progress, finally." He said, "it's all about consistency."
I can't trace the point where we started talking; we just did. I mentioned something about trying to find my way with relationships and finding meaning with my life. He said he was being pushed out of his job and he wasn't sure what he wanted to do or what he would do. He mentioned it wasn't about money; "I'm financially secure." This older guy's voice cracked as he continued, "I just don't know what I want to do or what I should do and my company doesn't seem to want me anymore; I don't think anyone does..." He reminded me... of me.
We talked some more and after awhile of back-and-forth conversation he said he often feels ignored at the gym and he appreciated me giving him "consideration with my conversation." He joked he was holding me responsible for getting in the way of his workout. We both laughed.
I feel sad for him. I feel sad for myself. I am glad I talked to him and that it seemed to make him a little less sad.
I ran into him again on the cables machine. He looked like he was going to cry and I related to that feeling. I wasn't sure if maybe I was just projecting my feelings on him for some reason. He asked me how my workout session was going. I said, "pretty good. I'm making some good progress, finally." He said, "it's all about consistency."
I can't trace the point where we started talking; we just did. I mentioned something about trying to find my way with relationships and finding meaning with my life. He said he was being pushed out of his job and he wasn't sure what he wanted to do or what he would do. He mentioned it wasn't about money; "I'm financially secure." This older guy's voice cracked as he continued, "I just don't know what I want to do or what I should do and my company doesn't seem to want me anymore; I don't think anyone does..." He reminded me... of me.
We talked some more and after awhile of back-and-forth conversation he said he often feels ignored at the gym and he appreciated me giving him "consideration with my conversation." He joked he was holding me responsible for getting in the way of his workout. We both laughed.
I feel sad for him. I feel sad for myself. I am glad I talked to him and that it seemed to make him a little less sad.
