Pushing through discomfort

I fell flat on my face… literally.

So there I was, minding my own business, all contorted in a semi squatted position with my hands on the floor trying to balance my knees on the back of my upper arms (you know, the usual Wednesday evening) when it happened. Like a freaking piece of log I could almost hear a cartoon character screaming “timmmmmmber” in the back of my mind for a split second. And that’s when my face met the floor. 

Yoga can be a real bitch, mind you. Don’t fall for its hippie dippie reputation: it’s tough shit. 

And as I try to compose myself (maybe nobody noticed it, right?) here comes the instructor trying to control her laughter asking “are you ok”? Really? You can ignore all those people farting during class, but you can’t ignore this? “Fine” I half mumble, trying to keep my dignity and really glad that the lights were dimmed and no-one could see the expression of pain mixed with utter embarrassment in my face, as I proceed to go on (blurred vision and all), as if nothing had happened.

Not that I’m a masochist or anything, but I’m still doing it.

That was a long time ago, and I’m still doing it. Can’t do that pose for shit, but it doesn’t stop me from trying it every time. Because it’s worth it. It’s worth the hassle and the pain. It’s worth the time and the energy I put into it. It’s worth it because it helps bring focus and balance. And it’s not that I like exercising. It’s just that I learned not to hate it so much. 

And the truth is: it makes me a more tolerant and decent human being.  

When you have all that blood flowing in your system good thing are bound to happen. You have more energy and focus to do your work. You have more patience to deal with people. Things around you seem to get better. You get better. And that’s what the bottom line is.  

Sure, you may fall flat on my face once in a while (maybe not literally), but that’s not the point.

The point is you doing the work. You showing up and doing the work.

And just like working out, just by showing up everyday it gets better. 

BTW, are friends on Instagram? I’ve been making a painting a day for the entire month of January and posting the photos over there. It’s a really cool project and a nice way to push through discomfort. Check out my feed and who knows? You might get inspired and it might help you push through discomfort too.