Opportunities

This past week was a busy one and that's one of the reasons I am thankful for only having a 3 day work week (actually it will be just a little more than that since I'll have to go to work on Friday in order to sign off on employee time cards so they can get paid).  Work will hopefully go by quickly each day since I have quite a bit to accomplish this week as well as my building will be filled with kids since school is closed this week.  When there's lots going on in the building, the day tends to go faster (we'll see if that happens this week or not...).

I feel as I have a bit of work to catch up on since I was out of the building for two days this past week.  I was out of the building to teach a two day customer service course that I was a little nervous about going in for.  It was the first time I taught the course and I was concerned that the individuals in the class wouldn't be active participants (and this course really depends on active participation).  I didn't have much to worry about.  The class took about 30-45 minutes to warm up and then they ended up being the perfect class.  They asked questions; answered questions; volunteered when asked; etc.  There was another class that happened earlier in the week and the facilitators had horror stories to tell (they said it was like pulling teeth to get their participants to do anything).  I was very thankful I ended up with the group that I did!  =)

I had the opportunity today to be the substitute dance teacher a couple of towns over since their instructor is in South Africa.  I actually get to teach for her the next two Sundays as well.  They told me that they were happy to be working with me over the next few weeks because they really enjoy my teaching style and they feel like they learn a lot.  Since I've been teaching dance for less than a year (other than running an occasional practice before that if my instructor had to be out), that's really good for me to hear.  Especially since after the last couple of my solo performances I wondered if I needed to take a dancing break or not...

I know that I have always been my own worst critic but I felt as if I did particularly poorly at the last two performances.  I had a talk with my instructor this past week about it and she said that it probably means that I am on the verge of a breakthrough in terms of my dancing.  I hope so because the last two dances left me questioning whether or not I should be dancing or teaching at all currently.  I think I am being overly hard on myself because I was dancing to new music and was attempting to go beyond the "tough girl" attitude for the entire dance.  I danced the first part with a veil which left me feeling more vulnerable than when I have my sword.  For the second part of the dance, I had my sword in hand and I felt a little more comfortable but the music was a little softer than what I usually dance to and it just wasn't the same as what I saw in my head.  I think I might continue to work with this piece of music but probably not for my next performance.  For the next show, I think I need to go back to the piece of music that I LOVE to build my confidence back.

With having the short work week/long weekend, I am really hoping to take the opportunity to do something for me.  I'm not sure yet what that something is going to be but I'm going to do it.  It might be as simple as taking a nap on the couch one day with the doggies.  I just know that I need to do something for me.  I know that a couple of weeks ago I went whale watching for me but that was one thing over quite a long period of time.  I think it's time to do things for me again - things that grant me the opportunity to let my freak flag fly.

Well, my dear readers, since we're open for full day programming this week, that means I'll be putting  in some long work days so I should probably think about heading to bed before too much longer.  Before doing that, I think I'm going to get some sort of a lunch together to take with me to work since I don't think I want to take care of that in the morning.  I'm also going to take a few minutes to think about the opportunities I've had this past week and the opportunities I hope to create for myself in the week ahead.  Hopefully I can remember to look at everything as an opportunity.  I hope you have a fabulous week, can find things to be thankful for and to take the opportunities to let your own freak flags fly!  =)