The definition of "work" is: exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something.
I work...meaning, I have a job...and I absolutely love my job. I am doing things in my job that 10 years ago I never would have thought I'd be doing. Writing - for one. If you told me 10 years ago that I would enjoy writing small plays and skits for my church and organizing Sunday mornings for the 1st through 4th grade kids, I would have laughed out loud at the notion. For all intensive purposes - I was a middle school Physical Education teacher (that should be the title of a "what not to be" book). I actually did like it....it took everything I enjoyed and put it together in a "job". I like sports, I liked students (notice the past tense), I enjoy teaching and I am fond of sarcasm (which the elementary kids never got)...oh yeah and having a ginormous teacher sized scooter for all of the beloved scooter games (there literally are hundreds). I was the crazy phys ed teacher who actually played during class with the kids...and being as competitive as I am - I feel comfortable saying that I have never lost ANYTHING to a student. This includes ping pong, 1 on 1 basketball, badminton and pretty much anything else a student challenged me to (except foot races... I know my limitations and I never claimed to be fast)...I stuck to what I was good at and that mostly involved hand eye coordination stuff!
BUT...and this is a big BUT...I really truly ONLY became a P.E. (I'll allow the acronym because I get sick of typing the word out) teacher for one reason - so I could coach. You see...there is a difference between doing something you like and doing something you love. I LOVE coaching...don't know why and don't know where it came from, but it's been inside of me since I can remember. I don't notice the change in me so much when I'm not coaching...it's when I am coaching that I experience a kind of awakening. It's weird...and I can't really explain it...but its like a part of me or my brain is set apart for coaching and it comes alive as soon as I take on that role. The only way I know how to describe it is a "passion".
The definition of "passion" is: a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for something.
I still remember my first team...I was in high school and I ran those 4 and 5 year old girls like a drill squad, but they learned and got better and when it was all over I couldn't wait to do it again. One day maybe coaching will be my actual "job"...but until then I'm completely happy coaching my daughter's softball team!
I know that not everybody has found something they have a true passion for...so I consider myself one of the lucky ones!
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