Have you ever thought about an idea or seen an opportunity and thought, “nah” and never went with it? I have more then ever this past year. No regrets or anything, but its like these ideas happen but no action has happened yet…and that’s OK. I find when the same idea or opportunity comes up more then once then that’s a sign there could be more to it AND worth going for it.

One thing in particular idea I’ve thought about the past couple months is becoming a PE teacher since the start of my Special Olympics teaching internship. I go back to this again (see last post) and say how happy and rewarding it makes me feel. The same feelings are associated with both completing two marathons (and other races), donating blood (need to get back that–a volunteer opportunity and goal I like to keep up with), my personal training business, and working towards my masters degree. Among Harrison, friends, family, running, this blog, the list goes on…all of which are rewarding and makes me feel like a million bucks.

There are also some experiences in my life that make me feel like the complete opposite and makes the job way less appealing. I’ve had experiences within the past few months that I feel I’ve out-grown (won’t say specifics) and just need to move on to bigger and better things. Unfortunately, these specific experiences make me feel unfulfilled and under appreciated. I’ve learned that YOU need to do YOU and if what you’re not doing is not cutting the cookies, you have the power to change that. It took me a good bit to realize this, and I have a lot more work to do in this area, but I know and realize this change which is HUGE!

Right now, seeing myself as a PE teacher in a high school setting is what I’m thinking. If someone had told me this is what I am thinking as a career, I would have laughed in their face. When I mentioned this idea to a few people, I didn’t get a lot of support right away. I was told to “go into corporate” but the same unappealing feeling from my current experiences hit home for me. Same thing when people said, “nutrition or physical therapy is where the big bucks are.” *Cue eye roll* Yes, all the above makes sense and I can see the benefits of doing all of the above, but none really seemed interesting or rewarding to me. That word, rewarding, kept replaying in my head. I associated it with my internship and that’s when I felt that teaching PE could be a good fit for me. I’m not in it for the money, but for the simple fact that these Special Olympics kids really make my experience teaching health education worth it. Doing this would allow me share my passion for an active lifestyle. Now, anytime I mention this idea to others, I get “you would be so good at that!” ;P

I am beyond HAPPY and feel so incredibly rewarded and appreciated when I go to my internship it’s like a breath of fresh air. Real life. Learning this feeling has been so important. It’s like the s*** experiences really pay off in the long run…kind of? I think so!

Right now, I’m challenging these same good vibes only feelings into other parts of my life and saying good-bye to them and other things that don’t give me the same feelings in return.

Whether it be a new workout, a step up in a current job, a volunteer opportunity, or a new recipe, don’t be afraid to take risks! You don’t know where it can lead or how much happiness it can bring to your life!

YOUR TURN:

1.) What was an experience that challenged you recently?

2.) How did you change something you didn’t like? Did you move on completely? Or do it differently?

3.) What was an “AH-HA!” moment for you recently?