"What did I miss?!?!"

Holy moly you guys, I taught Kangoo Jumps last night! I spent some time at the front of the class, facing approximately 10 people, started off strong, and ended, looking at Maribel, completely confused, trying to figure out where I'd missed the choreography. I noticed that the class seemed to be having an issue following me, but only in passing, as I attempted to count the steps and remember my cuing. I'm going to say I did moderately well, and man, did we ever laugh after class as we discussed the silliness that was my face.

Guys, I took that certification course on Sunday, and I was up in front of the class by Thursday. A mad dash to teach the people I've been learning beside for months (some even years) felt like a whirlwind, and I was so, so nervous. I did not "Fake it till you make it", those people knew how nervous I was, and the whole class giggled when we had to repeat my choreography to finish off the block and I looked supremely lost, but everyone was kind with me, and no one threw tomatoes or pointed and laughed.

How many of you have had something you've wanted to do, but you've been too afraid to try? How many times have you had something in your heart, a passion and a fire for something, but you just couldn't get up the nerve to undertake it? I struggle with this often, pushing myself into doing something that scares me is not my cup of tea. If I'm at home, alone, I'll try all the things, but working myself up to that first Kangoo Jumps class way back in May of 2017 was a struggle. "What if I fall? What if I suck? What if I'm the worst person in the class and the other participants laugh at me?"

I have learned something,though, in the last few months of really putting myself out there; most people are too focused on themselves to be thinking about you. As I went about my steps in class, none of the students were watching me thinking "what the heck is she doing?!" They were just trying to copy me, putting together an elegant dance of bouncing back and forth across the room. The other instructors in the course certainly picked up on my mistake, but they didn't mock me for it, they told me what I missed, and we had a great laugh at my reaction, but not at the miss itself.

An hour later, and these people are still smiling. Kangoo Jumps brings out the happy in everyone.

For the most part, people are too busy doing their own thing to pick apart what we are doing, and if they are focusing on you, well, I guess you have a fan. Put yourself out there, and follow your dreams. Find those things you love, and don't be afraid to pursue them. Even if your dreams seem outlandish. You have 100+lbs to lose, but you're afraid to go to the gym? I promise you, most of the people at the gym are busy looking in the mirror, and if they're looking at you, they're likely cheering you on. You want to go back to school later in life, but you're nervous the younger students will laugh? You are an inspiration! You've lived one life and you're starting another one, who better for young, just out of high school, kids to learn from?

It's corny, and is said all too often, but life is so short. I looked at those pictures of my oldest daughter yesterday, and realized that she's almost all grown. Those first 11 years of her life flew past, and in 3 years, she can get a learners license. In 7 years, she'll be graduating. It's a blink of an eye, so why not live to your fullest potential? We were all given gifts, we all have dreams and aspirations, and if we let fear hold us back, then what's the point of it all? You could do something great! You could change your life, and maybe even better someone else's! Put yourself out there, and never let anyone, even yourself, hold you back.

Getting back on the boots after delivering my 5th baby.

For anyone reading this who may have been in my first ever teaching block, I appreciate you being there, and being patient with me more than you know. Know that I take this role seriously, and I'll come back next week with some new, and better rehearsed, choreography. If all else fails, I'm going to practice my "I totally didn't just screw up" smile.