It is the glistening, sweet, salty proof that I’m motivated to do what it takes to get what I want.

Last Sunday late afternoon I headed for the gym. I felt that I wanted and needed a workout. There were a few people there, but it wasn’t crowded by any means. The spinning class room was dark and chilly, class members finished their workout hours ago.

I turned one of the bikes around to face the back side of the room, which is a panel of windows. I could look out into the gym and watch other people working on their routines. Donning my iPod and an indoor cycling workout, I settled in and began turning the pedals.

After a warm-up and some harder efforts, a drop of sweat ran down my forehead, past my eyebrow and it began creeping down the side of my nose. I caught a glimpse of it heading down my nose and I thought to myself, “I love sweat. I love to sweat.”

I allowed that bead of sweat to run down my cheek before I wiped it away with my sleeve. Yep, I love exercise sweat, to be specific.

The sweat that comes from exercise is something no one else can give me. I must earn and produce it myself.

Sweat means I’m healthy enough to exercise.

It is proof that I’ve made a commitment to myself to get fit, keep fitness or reach for a new goal.

Sweat is a product of work and a reward of one kind or another always follows long after it has evaporated.

When work begins, I can see its moisture shimmer on my arm. I enjoy feeling rivulets running down my back.

I can see, feel and taste it. Sometimes I can smell and hear it.

It is the glistening, sweet, salty proof that I’m motivated to do what it takes to get what I want.

Yes, I love sweat.

Do you?