This morning I received an e-mail from a friend who is in a water wellness class at the hospital where I teach. The instructor for her class is resigning and she was concerned that the class might close if another instructor was not found.
I teach two classes, one from 4:30 to 5:30 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and another from 5:30 to 6:30 on Monday and Wednesday. I've done this for ten years and I love it! After receiving this e-mail I decided to call my boss - the Director of Rehabilitation, and volunteer to take this class as well. He was delighted as they have no applicants for this position and he didn't know how he was going to fill it. This will give me a morning class, 11:00 to 12:00 Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in addition to the classes I already teach.
Why am I doing this? Well, since I already have classes on those days it will not be a hardship. This will give me another three hours of exercise a week, and a little bit more income. Also it will keep this class open for some folks who, like I, are limited in the exercise they can do. It is a service to others with challenges.
Some may say it is a selfish act rather than a service as I will benefit from it. I don't disagree with this, but I also hold to the rationale that it is a service to others. Having had osteoarthritis that becomes more impeding as the years go by, I have an understanding of the value of water exercise. You can do anything in the water! It is empowering. Not only physically but also emotionally. For that hour you can run, jump, skip, and do movements that would be impossible outside of the pool. During that time you feel young again. You feel as if anything is possible!
So is this a selfish act on my part? Maybe...but given the opportunity I love being selfish in this instance!!