How often do you think that is is exactly where you’re supposed to be? If never, you’re probably doing something wrong.

When I was in undergrad at what is now Stockton University, I studied literature. In most of my classes, especially Shakespeare, Mark Twain, and Native American Lit, I often found myself absolutely engrossed in the material. During class or while completing homework, I’d often think to myself, “I love this. This is exactly what I’m supposed to be doing.” I missed this feeling; it’s a boost of reassurance that you’re heading down the right path in such a confusing world, but I haven’t felt it in a while. Until, of course, I found weightlifting.

I enjoy a plethora of things, but nothing surmounts to both reading and weightlifting. Last weekend, I headed down to CrossFit Lithium for the USAW Level 1 Certification with Michael McKenna. Within five minutes of his lecture, I was completely memorized by both the mechanics and philosophy that is weightlifting. This, my friends, is far more than a simple snatch and a clean and jerk. To many who’ve found it, it’s a lifestyle, a necessity.

The only thing I could think about while sitting in my seat, was sitting in class with Tom Kinsella back at Stockton. Kinsella was by far my favorite professor. His passion and love for literature was impossible to ignore, thus bleeding through to his students as he taught. He was able to command the room while reading Shakespeare just as McKenna held our attention for two full days with non-stop weightlifting, coaching, and mindset. And there I sat, knowing that this is exactly where I was supposed to be.

I am so incredibly lucky to have found not only one, but two passions. Throughout my weeks, I have the “I’m supposed to be here” thoughts often. I have them on a weekly basis when I touch a barbell. Though, I pity those who have never experience this euphoria. Maybe they’re unsure what they enjoy. They may have grown up being forced into a specific field of study by their parents, left wondering why they have a degree in a field in which they despise. They may be after that “American Dream” life. That life where they graduate with a beautiful degree from a state of the art school in a field in which they’ll make all the money. And, in turn, probably be absolutely miserable. It’s not worth it. Nothing is worth unhappiness. What happened to doing the things we love? Find your passion and doing something with it.

I think it’s an absolute mental necessity to follow your heart and take on all the things that you love. Challenge yourself, if you don’t thoroughly enjoy anything, figure it out. Go hiking, enroll in a dance class, an art class, pick up a barbell. Do something you’ve never done before. You just may find that it will change your life. Mine is forever changed and for that, I’m grateful. I’m grateful that I get to share something I hold so dear with my friends and family over at Long Branch CrossFit.

Because I can tell you that when I started shying away from CrossFit and focusing on weightlifting just over a year ago, I’d have never believed that this would soon become the biggest part of my life. We all deserve to do something we love. Take the things you love, cherish them, and constantly build on them everyday, and it is only then when you will truly understand when something that seems so small, can do something so big.