Something About Change

We live in a polarized world where common ground is as rare as common sense. Take this: I was at the gym the other day, minding my own business, when I saw two teens attempting a heavy bench press variation they found on social media. Classic.

Being the concerned gym-goer, I got off my bench to be on standby. Sure enough, the moment they unrack the weight, it drops faster than their GPA after finals week. They were on a Smith machine, and the kid was stuck. I rushed over and lifted the weight off him.

I wasn’t expecting a thank you or anything, but I also wasn’t expecting, “What are you doing messing up my set? I had it!” The look of panic in the spotter’s eyes said otherwise. I felt slighted for doing the right thing and saving the kid from a potential trip to the ER.

Another gym-goer who saw the interaction said, “Damn, you were quick to help that kid.” He also mentioned the kid’s response was enough to make him never want to help novice vanity lifters. Yet, a few days later, I saw the same guy jumping in to help another novice lifter.

It hit me then—when you do the right thing, it’s not for applause or a pat on the back. It’s because it’s the right thing to do. That kid might never thank me because his bruised ego probably hurt more than his fragile chest would have. But if given the chance, I’d do it again.

Sometimes, being right goes against what’s popular. But if the popular decision leads me down a more dangerous path, I’ll stick to being unpopular. We live in a world where people easily forgive you for being wrong because that means they were right. But, forgive you for being right. Fat chance. Because that means they were wrong.

So, when was the last time you went against the grain because it was the right thing to do? Do you stick to your guns or let things slide to keep the peace?