Remember the Show The Littlest Hobo? Thats Kinda What I Feel Like

As many of my fellow trainees have heard, I'm hitting some difficult times due to my job. I have my own school out in Onoway, Alberta, a small branch of Silent River Kung Fu. I started there when I was 9, under the instruction of Master Brinker, and I remember thinking how scary and intimidating he looked. I can't forget how scared I was on my first day, even with my older brother standing next to me. However, it didn't take long to see that Master Brinker wasn't as scary as he looked, but nonetheless he was just as intimidating. A good intimidating, though. Not because of his physical strength and abilities (although that definitely helped), but because of his "quiet strength". Those of you who have met him know what I'm talking about. His ability to teach, guide and nurture.

Anyways, I'm off topic here. I took over the school I grew up in when I was 18. I wasn't sure if I could do what was necessary to run a martial arts school, but it was an offer Master Brinker gave me that I would have been more than stupid to turn down. And I'm pleased to say that she's still going strong, and after all the instructors that school has seen, it now has one that has no intentions of giving it up. I have to say, even though its small, its my pride and joy.

I love that place. I grew up there, I bled and sweat and trained there. My students are a great bunch, and I learn just as much from them as they learn from me. I don't know of any other experiences that can quite match it. If anyone out there hasn't had the opportunity to teach, give it a shot. The rewards are unbelievable.

I work as an environmental consultant. Its a good job, good pay and I have a good boss, but its not my calling. Recently, its been requiring me to go out of town on occasion, as I am right now. I'm sitting in a motel room in Fairview, 5 hours from home. Obviously, I can't make my classes when I'm out of town so far away. This is a big problem. Very big problem. Very bad, big bad problem.

This situation, coupled with the goals of the UBBT, have been making me think heavily on what my class and my training really mean to me. I never really had to make a choice before. As far as I'm concerned, there is no choice to make. When I moved into Edmonton, there was no question if I was going to drive the hour long drive one way to continue to teach. It didn't bother me when I had to pull an all-nighter to finish a paper that was due on a Tuesday or Thursday (classes are Monday and Wednesday nights). I don't know what I want to do as a career, however I know that I never want to lose the Silent River family. I don't remember being without it.

So, I have to quit my job. As I said to my boss, being an environmental consultant is my primary job, but it's not my priority. There are always going to be other jobs. What my training and my instructors have given me is irreplaceable. My job does not define who I am. My training has.

So, any suggestions on a new career for me? Your guess is a good as mine. I don't know where I'm going from here. But, now that I have firmly defined my priorities, not knowing my next move isn't so scary. Well, my next move is a set of push-ups. Then, its anyones guess.