15 years and the "heart' of the matter

HI All,
Happy Tuesday.
We would like to thank those of you who attended our 15th Annual Open House. (Pics up soon on the website) We had over 60 people, 4 newbies and lots of FUN!
15 years...it sounds so cliche' but it really went by so fast. 15 years ago we were nervous, having just returned from JazzerJam San Diego and hopefully fielding phone calls for our new classes. We started with 6 classes in a church, 3 taught by K and 3 taught by me and 2 class managers (one of them Karen's Mom). Our sign was a J sunshade made out of cardboard stapled to a sawhorse. Hey, at least we had a sign!
In the beginning I was convinced that if I went to the bathroom 5 minutes before class started more folks would come in. It happened all the time back in the 'day' and I still do it now...I know it's odd but I do! I remember the first time I had 10 people in class-double digits! Boy, was I happy! I try and remember those days now...it's important to remember where you came from!
Within a year we moved into the dance studio sublet, 11 classes a week, help from Liz and praying more folks would come. They did...we outgrew the room...K was pregnant with little K and we moved into our big, beautiful space-the one we have now.
10 years of teaching 7 days a week for me, 2 kids for K, certifying instructor after instructor....
And here we are-15 years later. 12 instructors (that includes K and me)...one more this year...they get married, we get older (and wiser hopefully) and more and more clients come through the door. We've got 5000 folks in our 'box' (we started with 12), many fab class managers, 2 terrific babysitters and countless classes under our belts.
I look at all that and I think...boy, the people that did all that must be tired-but we're not. When you do something for which you have passion, real passion, you're never tired. (Ok, well those days of teaching 3x per day...I was tired then!) How do I feel? Joyful. Happy. Thankful. Accomplished. Proud.
This weekend we'll warmup the crowd for the HeartWalk which really brings us to the 'heart' of the matter. Of all the things we do, classes we teach, instructors we mentor...we are doing it ALL for your health and to give you a longer life. Working out should work your body and touch your soul and that is what we try and do each day. And, when I get on that stage on Saturday (hopefully NOT in the rain) to warmup the crowd of 1000 people at the HeartWalk (www.merrimackvalleyheartwalk.org) I won't be nervous. I will look at them and realize that, every day, I get to positively affect the lives of the people in front of me. I am honored they let me into their lives and allow me to do what I love and help them all at the same time.
I will also remember 2 special people-my Dad, RSB Sr. and K's Dad, PJC, Sr. My dad passed almost 30 years ago of heart disease and K's dad passed away less than 3 weeks ago of a stroke. We couldn't save them but maybe, just maybe we can save you. Or, more pointedly, give you the opportunity to save yourself.
Heart disease is the #1 killer of women in America-don't let it take YOU away from those you love.
Know your cholesterol, your waist size (it should be 1/2 of your height in inches) and your blood pressure. Just go...get it checked. It doesn't hurt a bit.
Plus, don't you want to be dancing with us for the next 15 years??!!

Where did manners go?

HI All,
Today was a pretty tough day for many of us.
K's father passed away suddenly last week and today was his funeral.
First, I'd like to say that Mr. C was jovial, fun guy who was always smiling. I know he will be missed by many, many people-most of all his loving family. My heart breaks for my friend, who lost her Dad, her Mom, who lost her husband of 48 years and the grandchildren experiencing their first loss. I can relate. May he rest in peace.
Now...
I'd like an explanation of where manners have gone?
I certainly am no authority on manners and goodness but I think I have a good handle on how a person should react in certain situations.
For instance, if you come upon someone in trouble, you help if you can safely. If you see a piece of trash, pick it up. If someone you care about has a broken heart, try and help heal it. Even a kind word can mean so much.
And, if you are attending a serious occasion and you see someone you know, even someone who may not be your 'favorite person', who happens to be sitting alone-go up to them. Have some compassion for that human being because, if you can't, what kind of person are you? Offer to sit with them and offer them your human support...it doesn't mean you're now their BFF, it just means you acknowledge them as a HUMAN and you're sharing in the heaviness of the occasion.
There are many people I've met in my life who are not my favorite people or whom I feel have wronged me. But there would NEVER be a time when I would ignore their humanness. I couldn't live with myself if I did that.
I can think of a couple people that I might SAY I would pass if I saw them on the street injured but, in reality, I could never do it. I would stop and help if I could. It would be hard, but my human spirit would know it was the right thing and compel me to do it.
Apparently there are many people who have no spirit or are heartless.
I pity them.
They are missing out on REAL relationships with people and giving of themselves in a REAL way.
Sad.
Don't you think?

9/11

May we never forget the sacrifice of so many to keep us free.