Fitness Instruction, and Following your Passion

Well, after a long hiatus I am back to share some more insights and hopefully motivate and inspire people who are interested in keeping fit - in mind, body and spirit. Today is Easter and I was fortunate enough to spend it with my small immediate family and a friend and we had the good fortune to all be healthy, happy and thriving in spite of the sad state of the economy. This post is to reflect on gratitude and the blessings we all have in our lives not to be taken for granted. Let me share that the Easter holiday was shared with my family, but I am not particularly religious, nor do I feel it necessary to subscribe to a particular group to appreciate the wonderful things life has to offer, and express thanks. I do, however, feel this "attitude of gratitude" (this is a familiar concept to anyone who has watched the movie or read the book "The Secret" but it is really just a universal truth) is absolutely necessary to perpetuate a beneficent cycle of life and achieve balance and therefore good health.

One of the topics of conversation that came about was that recently, people have noticed a change in me as far as my attitude about life and myself, and it has been reflecting in the way people around me perceive me and receive me. My latest endeavor that I am truly excited to have accomplished is that I was recently certified as a Fitness Instructor at my gym. Although the training itself was fairly straight forward, the enthusiasm I have been able to garner from friends and coworkers whom I have shared this with has been tremendous. I truly believe when you pursue something with passion and sincere intention, you can achieve almost anything. For me, it was an unexpected outpouring of support from people who attend the weight training class I attend, as well as those I have casually discussed my intentions with.

Another area where this has been reflected back to me is that I am also a Black Belt in Kempo Karate and am eagerly trying to recruit new students to join the class I take. Although it has been challenging, I am constantly reminded that the joy I receive from following my passions is keeping me healthy and hopefully becoming an example to get others to follow my lead. Lately, I have had entirely new avenues open up that I never had conceived of, due to the great amounts of support I have received, simply by being my authentic self and allowing things to fall into place. This concept came to light when someone to whom I reached out decided it was not the time to join anything new because in the past his family was not supportive. This made it even more clear to me how important it is to resonate positive energy and allow it to flow back to you and propel you forward into your endeavors, whatever they are. At least I know I have given someone the opportunity to do something that will be a benefit to them, and could lead to a lifelong passion. I reached out, and even though this person was not able to commit to joning my class, I know that the idea opened up a new perspective for him. As for the rationale that he lacked support from family, my hope was that he could follow the example of Gandhi when he said, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Hopefully my friend can be inspired when he is ready to take that chance. In the meantime, I am going to continue to do what I do and continue to be as enthusiastic as possible in hopes I can motivate those around me to follow their passion in life - whatever it is.