Deadliest Catch

First off - a confession - I kind of love this show. But I love any of the "reality" shows on the Discovery Channel. Did you know its a Biblical show? Really. The underlying message is from Luke 5. This is the passage where the fishermen have fished all night and caught nothing, but are told in the morning by Jesus to cast their nets again and suddenly they are overwhelmed with fish - the nets begin to break, they call their friends for help, but even that is not enough and the boats begin to sink. The message? Sometimes, when you go all in, when you really listen to the captain and put all your fishing nets on His side of the boat, things get a bit crazy. It can be dangerous - doing what He says, "fishing" that intensely. But the pay-off, just like on the show, is crazy awesome.

So a little more than 2 weeks ago, I went fishing. I put my resume out there - sending it directly to three gyms. The one I really wanted to hear from - I heard nothing. I was so bummed. So frustrated. One I really knew nothing about however, called me right away. This guy wanted to start offering aerobics at his sports facility and the idea sounded awesome. I'd be in charge of the whole deal - teaching, running the business, marketing - the whole enchilada. To me - that sounds great! But the location was kinda far away, and I was a little reluctant because I didn't know the guy at all. But it caused me to realize and officially recognize an idea that had been running through my brain for a while. Why not do my own thing? Start my own pilates studio - make my own hours, run the business by my ideas and philosophies? And stepping out on faith I contacted someone I know and inquired about renting his martial arts studio on days he doesn't use it. The fish start coming in - in under a week I'm in the middle of ironing out the details to open my own place in the fall.

Meanwhile at gym #3 they are looking at my resume and a few days ago, they called me. They want me to start teaching aerobics ans doing personal training as early as the first of June. I make my own schedule - childcare is on site and when a client asks for personal training, they put them in contact with me and I make it work with my timeframe. And its less than 10 miles away. More fish.

Then a local senior citizens group calls me looking for an instructor for their fall semester aerobics class - paying waaaaay more an hour than I make doing anything now. More fish.

Then a local spa calls me asking if I'd be interested in teaching pilates classes to their clients as part of their spa package. More fish.

Guys? My nets are so full that they are breaking. I'm afraid my boat is about to sink. I'm dizzy with the smell, startled by the listing of the boat, overwhelmed by the sheer number God has put in my nets and trying desperately to trust Him that this is His plan. 2 weeks and this is what has been caught in my nets. I'm literally seasick with the commotion in my life and wondering. . .is it possible I could JUST do this?

Excuse me, I believe you have my stapler...

And I've got a case of the Mondays. Except that its Wednesday and I've had this case of Mondays for a full two weeks.

I love the movie Office Space - and if you've ever worked in a cube farm spending hours staring at those insane gray walls I bet the movie is strangely resonant with you as well. I love Milton and his crazy babble - and I totally relate to getting attached to your office supplies (HANDS OFF MY POST IT NOTES EVERYONE). I love how everyone with even a modicum of intelligence really hates their job although on differing levels. I love the idea of walking into work with a drill and knocking down my cube wall. But I never do (I promise!) But the premise that really hits me of that movie is this: If you had a million dollars - what would you do? Would you continue to work in the job you are in now? Think about it. . . .if money wasn't an issue how do you picture yourself living your life?

When I think about that - I can guaran-freaking-tee I wouldn't be doing what I do now. No doubts - I'm blessed to have the ability to work from home. I'm blessed to have a job that pays moderately well. But the corporate tape, the mind-numbing meetings and training sessions, the sheer insanity of some of the process - Blech. The work itself isn't so bad - not loads and loads of fun, but tolerable. And the people I work with and for are often the only redeeming quality. But overall - no way.

So what would I do? Would I just stay home and be a mommy? I don't think so. I love my children - love them so much, that I cannot imagine how horrible their life would be if I stayed home with them all the time without some sort of outlet. I'm not built that way and I don't have the patience (look for upcoming blog entries on my homeschool experience dying an agonizing death). And looking for outlets that didn't involve me making some sort of money. . .would probably end up with me spending that million in a heartbeat.

If I could do whatever I wanted - I would work at a gym/own a gym/teach and train. I love the endorphin rush of working out. I love the smiles on people's faces when they've worked out and enjoyed themselves at the same time. I love feeling my best and knowing that I look my best and am healthy and vibrant. I love helping other people find that feeling. But generally - teaching one class a week at a gym or fitness center barely pays for the gas to get there and the childcare I incurred.

And this is why I have a case of the Mondays on this obviously-not-a-Monday-Wednesday. Because I want to do that. I want my job to be fun, to be enjoyable, to have purpose and excitement. And for almost 2 weeks I've been stirring an idea around in my brain. . . .. what if. . .what if. . . .what if. . . I just did it? Summer is here. Homeschooling is over (GLORY!) and I've got a bit more time in the mornings. . . maybe I could start teaching somewhere, working somewhere, doing something towards my dream?

My band teacher in high school used to tell us - there comes a time where you have to decide. . .you have to make a choice and begin your action. Its time to fish or cut bait.

My fitness instructor resume went out to 3 local gyms today. Talk to you guys later - I'm going fishing.