Why Everything You Do Matters

I was just out of college living in a small southwestern ski town, and planning a move to the Big City. Excited to begin my career as a dancer and singer in musical theater, I was delighted to learn from my primary doctor that his daughter just happened to be a powerhouse Broadway star! He graciously offered to broker an introduction.

Shortly after I arrived, my parents came to visit and we went to see my doctor's daughter Judy Kaye starring in Ragtime, my first Broadway show. I was so moved by the music in the overture that I surprised myself as I cried quietly in the dark, before the show started. That moment has influenced my emotions every time I sit down to watch another performance.

After the show, we were instructed to wait outside the backstage door for Ms. Kaye, and when she finally emerged, we introduced ourselves excitedly. I had fantasies of her joining us for a late dinner or coffee, and telling me all about her trajectory in the business, offering advice and guidance.

But instead she said we could walk her to her car.

On the way, I told her I had just booked my first national tour, a children's production of Winnie the Pooh (I played Piglet), and she told me about her first tour, which was also a children's show (she played an elephant). And all too soon, we were standing in front of the parking garage, thanking her for her time.

I'm sure Judy Kaye has no memory of this little walk to her car 15 years ago. But I'll never forget it. Just as I'll never forget that moment in the dark, being moved to tears by beautiful music, a moment those musicians will never recall playing, but which changed my life forever.

We've all been impacted by something said or done that seemed of little or no consequence to someone else. The same holds true in caring for our bodies. We notice when people have lost a great deal of weight, or chopped off their hair, or we take special notice in a yoga class or the gym when we achieve a significant asana(posture) or reach a new fitness milestone.

Peter Sterios, director of Yoga Centre in San Luis Obispo, California, spoke to this idea in an article about the many faces of courage.

"The most visible face of courage," Sterios writes, "and the one that we tend to value most, is the kind found in front-page headlines or on the big screen."

But it's in the small, everyday moments, which require faith, trust, and awareness, which shape our lives and make up the small victories.

"We start with little things," says Sterios, "and with constant practice, we build our stamina, strength, and courage."

And referring to the practice of yoga (but applicable to just about anything), Sterios continues, "In the midst of this lie the seeds for transformation-opportunities to break ingrained patterns of reaction, physical and emotional."

My little story about walking a superstar to her car resonates with this idea that we approach our bodies, and each other, with humility. We never truly know the impact we have on others' and our own health and well-being with each bite, step, stretch, thought, word, or deed.