Last night I taught a Strip Tease Aerobics Class! It was some of the most fun! I have always loved to dance. I grew up cheer leading and dancing in talent shows at summer camps. I definitely am more of an athlete than a dancer though. Inherently I am clumsy and mostly walk without grace. However, if there's a funky tune on I have been known to shake me booty!
This week I have been a bit stress about the class, mostly concerned with knowing the routine enough to teach it and also to be a good representative for the gym. This is all knew to me, so the stress just comes from inexperience and then my constant pursuit to be more than just average. Everything I do, especially in the gym, I want it to be my best. Bottom line.
Yesterday I was told that I care too much. I highly respect the one who had said this to me. It was a statement delivered with care and concern, reminding me that I am capable of doing a great job and that I should trust myself more. I have heard this quite a bit in my life, whether it was in school, in the restaurant business, in a relationship, or in a race.
Through out the years of hearing this statement I have never denied the fact that I probably worry more than necessary. I am a perfectionist. I have been since I was five, changing my clothes whenever there was a stain on them. Now of course as I get older, I have become less concerned with being perfect, and more interested in just doing my absolute best! But I have always said, if there becomes a time when I am not stressed about doing my best, then one should be completely concerned.
Why? Because it then means that I have lost my passion for my work. Even in the restaurant business I still was concern with doing my best, even if it meant slinging burgers and beers. Your work ethic is a direct reflection of your character. What you put into everything you do is all about integrity.
This career change is a labor of love! It's everything I have inside of me. It's what I have been dreaming of since I was a little girl and daddy use to bring me to 5k races, track meets, softball games, and soccer tournaments. Taking the leap and leaving everything that I am use to took guts and most importantly a passionate belief that it is possible to make a living doing what you love to do. I am definitely the girl who practices in her living room, in front of mirrors, in the car, in the shower, and maybe even in a dressing room!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I am not afraid to admit this.)
I want to live with passion. When I use to wait tables and manage restaurants I did it because I made good money doing it. But as time progressed, I remember walking to work dreading the shift because I just did not enjoy doing it anymore. The money was just not worth it! My heart was not into it. And my closest friends and my mother were completely aware of this!!!!!!!
Now, I wake up excited to go to work. And I don't sleep much! I jump out of bed, make coffee, turn the computer on and prepare myself for the day. I plan workouts for my clients with enthusiasm, always researching for the newest exercises and equipment. I search for the best music for my pump classes so when I am pushing my students it's the music (and my charming personality) that motivates them to finish a set.
People ask me all of the time how do I do it because they know that my schedule is all over the place and sleep is limited. I tell them that I just enjoy it and I love it! Absolutely!!!!!!!! There is nothing like it for me! I could be in a gym all day long and I would be completely fulfilled and satisfied.
Living with passion is the only thing that I feel will make us continuously healthy and fit. It's so much more than physical activity. Internal happiness and a passionate fulfillment will complement the physicality part of the health equation immensely. I have found that being involved in life, not just going through the motions, produces long term enjoyment, thus enabling one to be happy with themselves from the inside out.
It is difficult at times for it is expensive to live. However, for me, taking risks in life to move towards doing what you love to do is all part of the game. Living with passion gives me energy. It makes me healthy and fit.
Yes, there are times that you have to do what ever it takes to put food on the table. There will be times that a job will be a means to an end. And there will be times that pursuing your dreams will force you to stand on the edge of your comfort zone.
Standing in front of ten "strip tease" participants last night was nerve racking and completely out of my comfort zone, but it was just so much fun and fulfilling! My cheeks hurt from enjoyment. My passion gave me confidence and vibrant energy.
What is your passion and how will you pursue it?
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