Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Audacious Attitude

I have been out of my comfort zone on purpose for a last couple of weeks.  I wanted to bring my memories and sensations back to me when I must learn something new.

 Learning new things must be exciting, however, it is true that associated with some degrees of fear.  As you get older, you would become fearless because you have accumulated your life experiences.  They would help you predict what might happen.  Their cause and effect picture is more clear than experienced people.  Being predictable would relieve your anxiety. 

On the other hand, if you think the outcome would not be good from the new experience based on your life experience, you might not try in the first place.  You might say, "Oh, it takes too much time," "It's too messy," "I don't like that stuff.," etc.  You would become like a five year old whining, "I don't like this food," even though you haven't tasted before.

I am wondering about how the person, who has only seven years of life experiences in his life, would respond in the situation where facing the new challenges in school.  Chances are 1) This child was born to be fearless, curious, and enjoys taking risks and 2) This child is curious but afraid of taking risks. (Not limited, of course.) Neither cases could be influenced by their life experiences in this learning situation.

I was number 2 when I walked in the fitness gym first time.  I was interested in being fit, but I was afraid of being revealed how bad my current shape was, how the trainer thinks of my physical abilities, and simply and physically how hard I have to work out towards my goals.  My "long" life experiences manipulated my mind in a pathetic way, juggling anxieties that I have possibly predicted. 

"Feel the presence.  Be kind to yourself without judgement.  Breath in, breath out....,"  the mindfulness lines chimed in.  That's right!  I WAS afraid of the "judgements" (which never happened and most unlikely would happen) and almost losing my new learning opportunity.  I began to talk to myself,  "I should accept who I am no matter how bad or good shape I am.  I am wanting and needing to teach my body how to move in order to sustain my good health.  So be it..."  Then, my attitude shifted from fear to willingness. 

The yoga instructor would say, "Weigh on your feet," when my arms are tired from my heavy weight. The fitness instructor would say, "Don't move your shoulders but squeeze your collar bones,"  when my neck was awkwardly shrugged between my shoulders like a turtle.  The Zumba instructor would say, "Don't forget to smile," when my face was a petrified zombi.  The NIA instructor would say, "Dance freely, enjoy!" when I was an aimless jelly fish floating in the Puget Sound. 

I am totally out of my comfort zone, however, that is where I am now.  But I don't have rush to feel comfortable for the challenges.  But I am becoming audacious to the challenges.  When this attitude becomes to the habit, these challenges are going to be a part of my presence some day in the future.

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