Do it anyway
I joined a gym to start doing yoga. Last week, on my birthday actually. I’m not really sure where the desire came from–but it hung around long enough that I decided to take action. I’ll be honest and say embarrassment is what was holding me back. I remember feeling the same when I was battling the idea of starting to run.
My first few times out, I felt so visible. Like everyone was watching me struggle and passing judgment. And that feeling was almost strong enough to keep me from trying in the first place. But I had to keep making the choice to show up amidst struggle and embarrassment.
I went to a yoga class on Monday and had my ass handed to me. I have no idea what a chaturanga is but they kept asking me to do it. And worse, the people around me weren’t just able to remember all the steps–they were actually hitting them. I, on the other hand, was a squeaky, sweaty, toppling mess. I swear it was like a scene from a movie. That would be the montage until finally, at the end, it would come into real time and show me thriving.
But the thing is–life isn’t a movie montage. You actually have to suffer through the discomfort and keep trying. The time doesn’t get sucked into a vortex to reveal your ending immediately, as much as we wish it would.
I remember thinking when I was pushing through 3 and 4 minute run cycles (and hardly making it) won’t it be cool when I can run a whole mile? I run regularly these days. Usually 2 miles. Sometimes more. I couldn’t do that before.
I guess the point I’m trying to make here is stop accepting your limitations as permanent truths. I did for a really, really long time. But I’m starting to learn–from the business, from writing a book, from challenging myself athletically, if you put the effort in, you can actually do anything.
I’m not saying you’ll be perfect at it. I’m not even saying you’ll do it well. But what the heck! Try anyway!
I lived so much of my life completely unaware that you can actually invent yourself. Instead of accepting the definitions laid upon your shoulders, stand up tall and make yourself into someone you actually like. Because guess what…you can.
And if you’re brand new here–I’m 31. So no, it’s not too late for you to try.
