This morning in my Koko workout the chest press exercise said put on 50 pounds. That went well. I’ve been doing 50 for awhile now. Then it came around again in the second rotation. This time it said 60 pounds. I felt my face make a what! expression. A little fear surged through me. A voice in my head said Don’t even try it. Put it back to 50.
For a second I remembered all the people I give strength tests to. When it says put 50 pounds on, they all say This is the end for me. I can’t do 50. They only have to so 5 and before they can say anything else, they are on number 3. Then they are trying 60. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve uttered the phrase See? You surprised yourself.
This morning I took their cue. I tried the 60 pounds and low and behold, I surprised myself. It really wasn’t all that different from the 50.
So many times, in Bikram yoga, at Koko, and in life I’ve wanted to quit before I even started – afraid it would be too hard. And every single time I risked it and tried, I surprised myself.
And so, as another day goes by, I’m getting used to jumping in with both feet – if it doesn’t work out, I’m learning that’s nothing to fear, and…on this beautiful Marathon Monday, where a lot of people are being brave today, I have written.
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