Is it possible?

Is it possible to love somebody that you don't really know? When I say 'really', I'm talking in terms of depth, in detail. Is it possible to love someone that you know in some ways, but not in others--someone you have shared tough experiences with, but whose favorite food, or color, or music you wouldn't have the slightest information on? To all of these questions I would say yes.

I have a friend (a few actually) who has changed my life. You've seen my past posts, and my most recent "transformation" post. I still have a ways to go to get to my goal, but in the process of achieving this goal, I came across some people that helped me see my life, and the way I view it, a little bit differently. Jason , Sally , Nick , and Ben are the trainers at Competitive Fitness--the place that I have been going to change. They are however, much more than trainers to me. I love them all dearly. I want to tell you though about Jason, and what his dreams, have done for mine.

Today was a day that if it were possible, some of us would like to give back--turn back the clock if you will. Today, Competitive Fitness closed her doors. But, even though the gym is closed, my heart will forever remain open and touched because Jason had the gumption to dream. He dreamed of more than himself. Having 9 fitness certifications was all well and good to him, but it did no good unless he could reach the masses. He managed a 24hr fitness, and even trained that good ol' Alli Vincent on her way to biggest loser victory. But he knew something wasn't right. Most people going in and out of 24hr were missing out. He wanted to be able to help more people. It's ALWAYS about others for him. A true example of Christ, and ironically, he's just getting closer to the Savior in more recent days. Anyway, to keep a long story long, he took everything he had, found a shyster of a partner, and started Competitive Fitness.

CF was to be a place of love, a place where people could work their butts off, and yell and scream for one another. A place where strangers two minutes earlier could put arms around shoulders and share a laugh at how they nearly passed out from a workout. It was to be a FAMILY. Well, I'm here to tell you that Jason's dream was accomplished. It was a family.

Time passed, and as it goes with many new businesses, he ran into some big hurdles. The partnership was dissolved, but the damage was done, and here we are today. If I could say one thing to anyone reading this (Jason included)--Jason, did not fail in this business venture. If anything, he succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. That's easy to say when I'm not the one stressed about the other parts of life that require money, I know. But beyond money (which never has been the driving force for Jason), LIVES have been changed--including mine. The Savior said: "...How great shall be your joy in the kingdom of my Father if ye shall bring save it be one soul unto me. But, how much greater shall your joy be, if ye shall bring MANY souls..." Jason saved many.

You might read this and say, "how does working out save a soul?" That is a valid question. But I'm here to tell you that the longer one travels down the lonely path of laziness and gluttony, the lonelier one becomes. With loneliness comes discouragement, and with discouragement comes apathy, and with apathy comes a hardened heart--the Lord, cannot dwell in a hard heart. Conversely, with exercise comes hope (and lots of physical pain sometimes), with hope comes faith/belief, with faith comes knowledge of the truth--the Lord IS truth.

Anyway, I'm totally rambling. But my point in the WHOLE post is to tell you that although I don't know Jason intimately, I love him. He's a brother to me. I owe him part of my life, because he so willingly shared part of his. He risked all he owned to help people like me. In turn, he is losing most of what he owns.....to help people like me. People who do that make me strive to be better in all aspects of life. My father did that--he is my hero. Jason....in many ways, so are you. Mind you all, this is not a funeral here. Jason is still alive and kicking--I just saw him this evening. But it's important to know and be reminded, that it's people like Jason that make this country run. People who risk it all to live the dream. Well, Jason, your dream didn't pan out the way you envisioned it. But friend, it's not gone. It's not over. Your dream, fueled many others--many of which, you may never see the full fruition of. You dream inspired others to dream. Your dream brought hope to hundreds, and the chain reaction of that you may never know. As a tie in to that thought--my grandparents (dad's parents) joined the LDS church when my dad was 3. That missionary who baptized my grandparents had no idea what kind of a chain reaction was started and how many more THOUSANDS of people have come unto Christ because of that single act. Upwards of 30-40 missionaries from my gpa's posterity alone have gone out to the world and baptized. And the chain goes on. Jason, your dream is the same. You have inspired, and people who move on, share your dream with others, and inspire them, and the gift goes on, and on, and on.

I posted something before about attitude. In it, I quoted Jim Valvano. It stands today as one of my favorite quotes to keep me going. So to all, I'll repeat it tonight. "Don't give up. Don't EVER give up."

Jason, I love you. Sally, Nick, Ben...the same feelings apply.

So, can you love someone without knowing everything about them? I mean really love them? The answer depends on you as a person. But as for me, I can. And I do.