When I agreed to start coaching back in August, I did it for two simple reasons:

1. I didn’t feel like I had enough balance in my life so I wanted another commitment.

2. I love cheerleading.

That was all. I interviewed, got an offer, and despite the 30 minute commute from my job to the school, I really had no reason to turn it down. A week later I was thrown into a whirlwind of an experience that I am still in awe of.

My girls had their second competition of the season today, nailed their performance and earned 1st place in their division. But there were two more parts of the day that stood out to me much more.

First, on top of taking 1st in their division, they also earned the Spirit Award for the entire competition. To me, that award is always such a reflection of the type of character that a team and its program has and means more to me than anything else. I couldn’t help but tell them over and over how proud I was of them for that.

The next part of my day took me completely by surprise, and made all of the long hours and exhaustion worth it. One of my girls came up to me before they performed and handed me a small envelope that said “coach” on the front.

“Don’t read it until you get home, though, otherwise i’ll feel so awkward!” she said. Thinking it was probably a funny picture or something quirky, I put it in my bag and carried on with our busy day.

When I was back home unpacking my things, I took it out and decided to open it. In the envelope was a lengthy letter this girl had written to me.

She thanked me for everything I had done for her and the team so far this season and that cheerleading was her escape from all of the negativity and personal problems she was going through (which I won’t list here, but are very heavy for a 14 year old to have to deal with.) She noted how appreciative she was of the time that I put in and that I was the best coach she ever had. She told me that I was her role model. Completely beside myself, I sat down on my bed and cried.

Sometimes we can’t see that where we are in our lives right now is the best place for us. It was that letter that assured me I am exactly where I’m supposed to be, coaching these girls and living a hectic yet incredibly balanced life.

I guess we never really know the impact we’re making on the people we interact with. We don’t always get recognized for the positive differences that we make. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep striving to make them.

Sometimes the best we can do is thank those who have taken the time to make a positive impact in our own lives, and fight like hell to try and live a life that someone may thank us for later on.

I’ve come to find that I blog the least about the issues that take up most of my time. I rarely blog about work or the outside networking I do because I’m out doing it rather than reflecting upon it.

The same goes for coaching. Between practices, games, choreography, competitions, emails from parents and making sure my girls are passing their classes, it really is another full-time job. And i’m only three months in! It is actually very hard for me to believe that.

I coach a group of fifteen girls, all in ninth and tenth grade. Typically when I tell people that, their reaction is, “Yikes! Good luck with that.” And my rebuttal is always, “Actually, they’re a fantastic group of girls. I’m really enjoying my time with them.”

Of course I said that with a little hesitation when the gig had just started. But they have proved to me time and time again that they are a good group of young women. I have an amazing relationship with them: We have a clear understanding of what I expect from them, and probably more importantly, what they expect of me. I listen to their suggestions, don’t ever use running as punishment (I haven’t had to punish them at all yet, knock on wood) and do my best to be fair and give them the benefit of the doubt.

I have been blessed with fantastic coaches in my past. It is the sole reason why I eagerly said yes to this position. I’m hyper-aware that coaching is not just teaching a girl how to properly execute a skill; it’s about teaching her how to carry herself in the midst of a chaotic situation, respect others, represent her school in a positive light, work hard for what she wants and ultimately become someone she can be proud of.

When I was leaving practice tonight, I tweeted (shocker) about what a blessing it is for me to coach. It dawned on me that I feel the same way every single time I leave practice or a game with my team…

I feel better when I leave than when I came in that day.

If you can fill your plate with things that make you feel better when you leave than you did when you started, hold on and don’t let go.

Whether that’s a hobby like coaching, an activity that lets you put your worries aside, a job that makes you feel like your contribution truly matters or even a person that brings out the biggest joys in your heart, give that part of your life your undivided attention.

Because when you truly love something, you should focus on it with all of your might. After all, being in love with every second and every aspect of our lives is the ultimate goal, isn’t it?