I returned to the gym yesterday to teach a total of three and a half classes. As I had recently posted, I returned from vacation recently AND most of the time, I avoid working out during my time off. I tend to return to teaching huffing & puffing like a mad man cursing the day I became a fitness instructor to a bunch of whiny brats. I was quite surprised to realize that the only thing I felt after teaching all day was a bit of soreness. I was not really fatigued, tired, or deflated; I was downright elated and excited about teaching all my classes. I realized that despite all the crap that I deal with as an instructor, my life is still fine. Not just fine, it's wonderful.

About now, you are probably wondering why I have suddenly had this turnaround. Don't get me wrong, a lot of the insanity that occurs at the gym still can get on my nerve and I am sure that in about a week or two, I will once again be complaining about something. It's just that on my way back from vacation, which was fantastically restful and rejuvenating, I came about 30 seconds from not living. Funny how such experiences can cause one to appreciate being alive.

The short of it is that the plane that I was in almost had a mid-air collision at Newark Airport. As we were landing, another plane was taking off. Our pilot realized the "error", aborted the landing, took a especially quick bank to the right forcing the plane to fly at a 90 degree angle on it's side, while still accelerating rapidly to get out of the way of the oncoming jet, continuing in a circle, finally levelling off before landing - all this within 30 seconds. I remember looking out of the window as I clung onto the seat in front of me and thinking to myself "I cannot believe that I am going to die in a plane crash at an oil tank field in Jersey City!" That and "God, I should have eaten more chocolate while on vacation."

Although I escaped tragedy, thanks to a brilliant and gifted pilot, I got to wondering about death. First, I am not ready to die; I have more things I want to accomplish in my life. Second, no matter how tired I feel and no matter how much I dread teaching my step class because of that bitchy person in class or the slippery floors or lack of air conditioning, I will still go with a positive attitude because at least I have the option of having one. Third, and far more important than anything else, I will always have that last chocolate bar. Savor and enjoy what life has to offer because it can suddenly be taken away from you. Later.  ¶ 6:44 PM