A Happy Soul

Have you ever felt like you were on the right track amidst a sea of uncertainty? That's pretty much how I feel on a daily basis what with the new job and all.

I decided awhile ago to take a class that peaked my interest. The class will be on Thursday nights for nine months...big commitment! Especially since I am working ten hour days (plus Saturdays) and my mind is just plain beat!

Last Thursday, September 9, was the first class. I was stoked all day about attending...until about 5 PM when the tiredness hit! To make the temptation of giving up on this class even worse, Thursday was the first football game of the season and none other than Mr. Brett Favre's team would be playing. Oh how I love Brett Favre!

I began the internal debate of beginning a new class or watching football. Class or football, class or football??? Then, I discovered the class was a two hour class! OMG! Two hours?!?! I didn't know if I could make it! But, through the helpful advice of family, I decided to give it a shot and see if it was something I would be interested in continuing.

Best piece of advice I've ever been given, folks! (Well, accept for all those other times I've needed great advice!) I went to class and this is what strikes me as funny: I always forget that I am shy! And, boy, am I shy! I hate going into situations where I don't know a lot of people! I always forget this about myself because normally, I am not in situations where I don't know a lot of people. At my old job, I used to give presentations, and it never bothered me, talking in front of groups, presenting. But, you put me in a room with strangers where I have to interact and put my best personal, not professional, foot forward, I clam up big time!

So, imagine my surprise as I approach the parking lot and begin to get 'the' nervous tummy. The parking lot is full! Darn-it! I want to leave. But, I don't. As I am walking towards the classroom my inner voice keeps telling me to turn around, go back to the truck, go home and watch the football game in the comfort of my own living room.

I suck it, put on my proverbial 'big girl panties' and walk into the class, which for me, is one big sea of uncomfortable as there are a ton of people. The class is set up so everyone has to sit at a round table, you HAVEto interact with strangers, you can't just sit in the back of the room and blend in..."CRAPOLA", is what I'm thinking. Luckily, my grandpa attended the class with me and he found two available.

I just hate that! Walking into a room and there not being any open chairs! At college I was so neurotic about not having a place to sit, I got to my classes AT LEAST thirty minutes early! So, imagine my college horror when I didn't have thirty minutes between classes! Yes, I ate a lot of TUMS! :)

ANYWAY, my Papa finds us two spots and he strikes up conversation. Which is a relief to me for two reasons. The first being, he is a pro at striking up conversation and perfectly comfortable doing so. Second, he's my Papa, he has white hair, he can pretty much do or say anything and get away with it because of his age; so, basically, I'm safe, nothing embarrassing can happen to me.

I make it through the class and the 'ice-breaker' exercises that force you to get to know people. For the record, I think 'ice-breaker' exercises are next dumbest thing invented next to TB jerseys!

Throughout the class, I became thoroughly involved, and was really enjoying it. I felt excited about this new endeavor. I felt content. I felt peace. I felt exhilaration.

I felt as though my soul was excited and happy. My soul was doing back flips and giving the proverbial 'high-five.' No joke. I felt on track. Who knew how reassuring that could be.