One of the most basic yoga poses is called Tree Pose, but on this day, for me, it was incredibly difficult. I can do advanced balances with one leg in the air behind my back, but for some reason I could not stop wobbling in Tree Pose. I fell. I tried again. I fell. There are times in life when we wobble before we get to our destination. We oscillate. We are off balance. The most important thing is that we get up and attempt the endeavor again.
There are many stories of celebrities and wealthy individuals who have tried only to fail. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. Now he is one of the most recognizable basketball players in history. Sarah Blakely founder of Spanx, had the idea of bringing a better, more flattering way of living to women. She brought her idea of slimming panty hose to several businessmen who didn’t understand how important it is for women to feel good and look good as well. She was turned down many times before she became a billionaire selling women’s hosiery.
Just because someone else has tried something doesn’t mean that you can’t do it better. Finding your own special niche to improve a product or service can be the saving grace to many people and help you become more prosperous, too. If you’ve wobbled around at one thing or another and have been unsuccessful at keeping your New Year’s Resolution to look and feel better, have no fear. Don’t give up. If you’ve overindulged or failed to even get started on your goals, tomorrow is another day.
Trying to lose weight and get in shape, learn a new language, clean out your closets, or start a new career, may seem overwhelming. You might wobble; you might fall. You might even think it’s too late to get started. Sometimes it’s in those difficult times, or the Dark Night of the Soul, where we find our strength. We wouldn’t know light without darkness. We wouldn’t know health if we had not been ill. We might not recognize what success is without failure.
Yoga instructors remind us of a simple technique when we are wobbling in a pose. Breathe. This morning in yoga class, I did just that. I must have looked ridiculous keeling over time and time again in Tree Pose, but I kept trying. I took a deep breath and focused. Finally, I was able to hold the pose.
When you are struggling to stay on track with your career, weight loss goals or fitness plan, know that faltering is part of the challenge. Take a moment to live in that uncomfortable space. Relish the challenge. It is the very thing that will make you appreciate success.
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Your so right ya gotta keep trying me and my wife we’re just talking about yoga too I think will give it a try.Have faith in what you do.thanks
Awesome Stephan! You just might like it!
Shemane, Once again your wisdom and experience happily slapped me in the face. I had a horrendous day, and by the time I got home, I was really burnt out! I anxiously read your article on “rebooting your resolution” and “breathe” was exactly what I needed. I put the mail, phone messages and everything else aside and did just that. I took time to breathe, meditate and get back to some degree of normalcy. Thank you so very much!
God bless you, Jean
Jean,
I’m so glad the blog motivated you! We all need a little reminder from time to time.
God bless you!
Good morning ma’am. I’m in need of advice. I need to lose about 80 lbs. I have a bad back and knees. I’ve been looking at and considering DDP yoga. I’ve also been trying to find some instructional videos for someone in my condition. I was hoping that you can point me in the right direction. Thank you very much, and God bless you!
Hi Buddy!
You should visit a doctor who has reviewed your condition for a specific fitness plan. My advice is to find the exercise that you love to do – whether it’s walking, swimming or yoga. That’s always a great place to start!
Shemane,
I have talked to you and met you in the past. You and Ted were kind to my fiancé at the NRA convention in St. Louis, while she was going through breast cancer. One of my resolutions this year is to get Cheryl, my fiance a buck this year. She would be happy with a fork horn. This resolution just took extra importance as we found out this week that the cancer came back and it is in her lung many lymph nodes and several bones and it is terminal. If you would be able to point me in the right direction to find a reduced price hunt for her deer or anything else, I would appreciate it. She really looks up to you and Ted. Thank you and God bless you.
Troy Niemuth
So sorry to hear about your fiancé. Sending thoughts and prayers your way.
You can call 517.750.9060 for info on Ted’s activities.
Blessings