During a virtual Barre class Tuesday night in the middle of leg lifts, I ordered Chinese food and made a pedicure appointment. Sometimes during my virtual Zumba class, I'll quickly move the clothes from the washer to the dryer. I mean why not - the laundry room is right there. I may even read a few texts dinging into my mobile.
Then there's virtual Yoga Flow ... when I might lie on the floor after a downward dog to play with pup Lupini (who's busy doing his own puppy pose). I mean, why rush into the next pose when he's so soft and cuddly? Or last night during Yoga Strength I suddenly had an urge to open that new jar of Italian olives I bought yesterday at Trader Joe's. "I have an Italian olive craving because I'm doing yoga," said no one ever.
Oh c'mon, would I actually do any of these things during an in-person class???Perhaps taking the quote, "dance like no one is watching" to the extreme?
When usually I sweat a ton more during these same live classes at the gym, guiltily I admit I behave more "leisurely" during the at-home workouts. The camera is off, audio is muted, no one can see me, and I get easily sidetracked in my house. (Thus, the gym membership.)
I remember once at an awards presentation watching my then-11-year-old son Dante receive a Character Award at the end of his Leadership in Training program. I remember what the facilitator said, too ... true character is defined by what an individual does while no one is watching.
I'm fairly certain I won't win any Character Award for my model student behavior during virtual exercise classes. Who is it hurting when I slack off, play with the puppy, or lay on the floor eating olives? Only me. In the room. Alone. No one watching.
Goofing off made me think about that character award my son received. Not my healthiest moment ... hadn't I committed myself to taking an online class?? Why am I not giving it my all?
What is character? Character is the moral qualities distinctive to an individual. Our character is revealed over time with varying situations; something we develop and work on improving as we mature. The pillars of character include:
- trustworthiness
- respect
- responsibility
- fairness
- caring
- loyalty
We can be untrustworthy while no one is looking ... but we'll be found out. We can be disrespectful and irresponsible while we're alone ... but it won't reap much good. Being unfair, disloyal and non-caring inside of our space ... well, you better believe any of that nonsense will catch up with us.
No one has to see these flaws for them to be a problem for us.
Yet even in a room by ourselves - without anyone around to witness - we can act trustworthy, respectable, responsible, fair, caring, and loyal. We don't need to hear praise while doing any of this - and I bet it will feel good anyhow.
Doing the right thing ... well, it's the right thing to do ... whether anyone knows we did it or not.
