Look back on your last month, year, or decade, and see how far you've come!
I've been practicing some new strategies for growth, like imagining the end of February and working back from there. And by “growth,” I personally define it with a deeper sense. It includes growth both in the outer, horizontal plane of the usual world, and the inner, vertical plane of being. Essentially, I've been practicing looking back at how far I've come rather than measuring myself against an idyllic standard that my mind tends to get frustrated with because it thinks I'm always falling short.
For instance, I was doing box jumps yesterday on the higher-than-I'm-used-to 28 inch box, (which probably comes close to, I don't know, around waist height for me), and was able to do multiple reps at this higher, slightly scarier level. Instead of being down on myself for not doing the 32-incher like Danny next to me, I was overcome with gratitude for how far I've come since my big ankle sprain and fracture 2 years ago.
For that injury, I spent 6 weeks letting it heal, then more weeks getting mobility and weight-bearing back, then months progressing slowly (with many tedious reps) back to impact in the form of jumps and hops with proper loading and landing, before even doing the smallest of box jumps. Then, there were times just a year ago when I was still afraid of the 20 inch box, then the 24 inch. I would hesitate and stutter step. My mind, in fear, would hold me back, envisioning a fall, or worse.
And here I am, taking on the 28-inch box, without fear or hesitation. I'm blown away by this progress, both physically and mentally. The body and mind definitely go together.
Of course, when we're in it, and having to take those tedious and slow steps, it always feels so much slower than we want. This is true for everyone. I hear it from patients every day. Our minds aren't wired to be patient. The ego thinks we are supposed to get somewhere faster. But, it doesn't know that right here is right where you need to be. How do we know it's where you need to be? Because it's where you are.
For me personally, that injury did many things, largely in the name of growth. It gave me first-hand experience of the injury process (again), which is really valuable for my work with patients. It helps me better understand where they are, both with physical healing and progression. And helps me better understand the mental/emotional side of being sidelined. It also led me to meet new people I wouldn't have met, and take new chances in new places, have new opportunities that wouldn't have come about otherwise. It was such a gift, at the same time that it was such a huge frustration.
That setback pulled me out of my familiar world, and nudged me to find and take some new paths. And they've been wonderful. I'm so grateful. I totally love box jumps! Which, by the way, I had not done in years! That injury, interestingly and circuitously, led me to rediscover my athleticism in ways I'd been out of touch with for some time.
I say all this because I encounter people and patients every single day who are right there in the thick of it. Right there in the pain and frustration and impatience and desire for something better. And, while it's so hard, and it truly is, they are doing such amazing work. And if they can stay with it they will make subtle and profound breakthroughs.
They are dedicated and doing all the things I've shown them for their body, and they are battling these places in the mind that say, “it should be different,” and “what are you doing wrong," and, “why is it taking so long?”
They can't yet see how far they've come.
They can't fully see the beauty of their process, and progress.
The beauty in the breakdown.
And we all have these challenges. We all go through these battles in our lives. Not just with physical limitations, but in other areas of life, too. I've felt this with my book-writing process, relationships, finances, career. The mind tells us it should be different, it should be better. But when you get quiet, sit back into your seat, relax down into your feet and away from your mind, you contact the knowing. The knowing that there isn't a problem, you're simply here and taking a step. It's a knowing that's deeper and broader than your usual familiar sense of self.
The answer is simple: keep going. Keep recognizing those thoughts. Keep coming back to presence. When you notice a thought, it means you are present. You are watching it. You are the one watching the thought. You are the watcher.
I'm considering ways to help more people with the injury process, becoming more present, moving their bodies more fluidly, or putting it all together. I'm curious, what are you interested in most? Reply to this email and tell me what you want help with, if anything. What support you want, what topic interests you. Do you want to learn more about impact training? Best basic form and strength practice? Inner work? Goal-setting strategies? How to ice without hating it?
I've been reading Eckhart Tolle's “The Power of Now” (actually for the first time), and it is absolute gold. His book, “A New Earth” is one of my all-time favorites and had a profound impact on me many years ago, and continues to do so. Here's a quote I'm contemplating:
“The best indicator of your level of consciousness is how you deal with life's challenges when they come.” - Eckhart Tolle
Other books I'm reading: “Up to Speed: The Groundbreaking Science of Women Athletes” by Christine Yu. “10x is Easier than 2x,” by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy.
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Give me your gut responses here. They're super short.
What are your goals for February? If you imagine yourself on February 29 (a leap year, by the way), how did the month go? What amazing progress did you make? What impossible goals can you envision?
To your greatest health,
Lara “the Box-Jumper” Johnson
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