Yesterday, after working out, I went out for coffee with a fellow instructor who happens to be a good friend. She wanted to talk about a job opportunity she had in Hawaii. Of course, I said, "GO, GO, GO!" Now, my answer may seem whimsical, impulsive, and careless BUT, honestly, I could not come up with a reason for not going.

As I have said before, group exercise instructors have very flexible lives: we tend to be able to pack up and go knowing full-well that no matter where we go, we can get some work. My fellow instructor, Jen, has the opportunity to go to Hawaii to run a Pilates studio for three weeks and then return to NYC to continue her life here. I say this is a win-win situation; who knows, she may just want to stay out there instead. She was concerned as to whether pursuing this opportunity was beneficial to her AND if she would be missing other opportunities in NYC while she was gone.

It got me thinking about two things: why do we concentrate so much on what we may miss when we leave AND isn't this all about mindset?

As humans, we tend to think about what we do not have or are not being offered. We tend to want the smaller waist, the higher paying job, the bigger biceps, the carefree attitude, etc. We also complain about not being given the bigger office, the nicer cut of meat, the prime spot in step class, etc. What we don't seem to see is what we do have: the healthy body, the paying job, the luxury of being able to put food on our tables, the ability to change our lives, the opportunity to be paid to go out to Hawaii for three weeks.

When Jen asked my advice, all I could see was a chance to go out to beautiful Hawaii, work in a relatively pleasant setting, enjoy some time away from NYC, and various other benefits. You see, Hawaii is so laid back that there is no way that she would be stressed out at the Pilates studio PLUS she would be out there staying with her hunk of a high-school sweetheart, who is single, interested again, is a triathlete, stunningly handsome... bottom line, win-win situation.

Why do we concentrate so hard on what we will miss? For once, I wish people would remember that their lives happen where they are. That no matter what else is going on in the world, they need to appreciate what is going on right now within their space. It's not about the possibilities that are elsewhere, it's about the reality that is within arms-length. I know I spent my first 23 years thinking outside of my circle. I am glad that my last 11 has been spent back within. Later.  ¶ 8:29 AM