For those of you who don't know, I have been teaching full-time for the past year and a half. Before that, I held down a full-time corporate position in the fitness industry (on top of ten classes a week), AND before that, I was a full-time instructor for four years. To put it mildly, I was exhausted constantly (By the way, full-time instructors teach at least 15 classes per week).

So, I arrive to teach my classes today, Monday, feeling rested. I just got back from a 6-day vacation at a lovely cabin in Michiana, Michigan. Which, happily, got extended an extra day because of the East Coast being inundated by copious amount of frozen precipitation. I was feeling good and wondering what I needed to accomplish this week. I started teaching and, BAM, it hit me: I LOVE THIS JOB!!!!!!!

I love teaching. It makes me feel alive and brings me great joy. Despite my cynical attitude toward the gym and the gym population, I still love going into an aerobic studio and blasting my music while teaching a bunch of people some steps. I take great pleasure in seeing people get excited that they can get that new combination or routine. I get excited when I see people's faces light up with joy because they feel that they have gotten a workout. I take pride in being able to provide anyone with some time to just forget about all the other issues, personal or otherwise, and concentrate on doing something good for their body. Bottom line is: I love the what I provide to the people that attend my class.

To be honest, I have cut down on the amount of classes I teach. I now only do 8 classes a week on top of my two other jobs (which I can hardly call work). I love being able to come into the gym to teach then leave. I used to think that I had a responsibility to make sure the gym was in the best of shape for all the members; even the ones that never attended my classes or even knew that I existed. I have come to realize that as long as I am not being affected by all the other drama in the health club, then I have no right to complain. BUT, if I am affected, then I am allowed to ask the responsible parties to correct the problem.

You're probably wondering what brought this all on. I just decided to take inventory of my life and remember that in these times when most people are not satisfied or happy with their jobs, I have one of the best situations that helps earn me what I want. Later.  ¶ 11:33 PM