I've been hesitant to type about it but the time has come. This early in the morning. This Saturday. There is some irony to all of this.

On May 30, 2009, I officially taught my last fitness class. It had to happen sometime. So, I am bowing out gracefully. While I still look like I belong in front of a fitness class.

I had been wrestling with quitting for a while. Then, a couple of weeks ago, I was told that I needed to renew my certifications. And if I didn't, I would not be allowed to teach starting in June. Unless I did.

I thought hard about my next decision. And it came down to this: why am I holding on to something that I am ready to give up? So I did. I gave it up. It was surprisingly easy. My "boss" was not exactly pleased. But she understood. I had hired her when she first started teaching. Ironic.

After I sent the letter of resignation, I thought about all the things I could do now. Things like stay out late Friday night. Ironically, I was home by 11:30pm last night and in bed asleep. Things like not have to wake up early to prepare for class. Ironically, I woke up at 5:30am and could not fall asleep. Things like sit leisurely on my couch, sipping some coffee, and reading until about noon. Ironically, I have to be at Penn Station at 9:00am.

But, despite all that, I am satisfying calm. It's been 15 years of good, bad, fun, and not-so-fun times. It's afforded me many things. It's made me many friends. It's gotten me a wonderful partner. And it's gotten me this. This blog. This way of just writing down my feelings. This way of letting it all out. This way of catharsis yet stimulus. I started this blog to jot down my "stories from the gym". Ironically, I became the story from the gym.

It happens. We evolve. At least, if we choose to. So, I am choosing to. I am choosing to let go of some of the old to allow something new to happen. I once saw a t-shirt that said, "Those who hang on... get dragged." Ironically, there is nothing ironic about that. Later.  ¶ 6:24 AM