Today, my running app has some good advice.

Think about what you gain not about what you lose.

When I would exercise, I often started from a negative view. I want to lose weight. I want to not be stiff as I age. I don’t want criticism because I’m in good shape for the shape I’m in; round is a shape. :-)

Today, I learned a valuable nugget I pass on for our N~Leaders: Think of what you gain not of what you lose.

Loss is a part of life. This week, my kids comforted a fellow 8th grader who lost their mother in a car accident. They gained an opportunity to serve, in Christian love, a classmate suffering tremendous grief and loss. My daughter said something so sweet at breakfast the day the news broke. She said, “I’m going to find, (name withheld), and give her a big hug.” This unscripted statement came straight from the heart of a girl I am proud to call my daughter. Knowing there was no way to sympathize (having a similar experience), my daughter chose to empathize (help shoulder the burden, Gal. 6:2). She chose to see what she could gain — to be a blessing to a hurting soul — rather than focus on the loss.

This week, whether a simple workout or comforting a friend through a staggering loss, choose to look for what you gain.