I’ve been all aflutter this last week in anticipation of today. Some nerves but mostly excitement! So when I woke up this morning, I was surprised. My thoughts did not mimic the excitement, the thrill of the challenge. No. I very negatively thought, *Oh, now I have to do ____.* My first test of motivation.
Whenever I had trouble with a report in college, or got stuck on what to bring to a potluck, I started by taking inventory of what I already had. Today was no exception. Inventory: hand held weights, the elliptical, knee braces, ankle brace, work out clothes laid out from the night before, half full water bottle in place, good work out music, space for sit ups and push ups, and a clean towel. What do I need? A binder/notebook/folder to record my dailies, writing utensil, space for kata, picture frames to hang my (belt) certificates for motivation, shoes, socks, a little Ning time to focus the mind and a waiting cup of honeyed tea to fight the cough after the session.
The morning work out went very well after the pep session. Less coughing than expected, surprisingly fluid push ups, and 4 miles instead of 3. Only a few things left to do:
.4 mile walk to the dojo, a wonderful little ritual
3 rounds of kata, to be done at the dojo between classes
20 pushups, to be done in class tonight
15 minutes of meditation, which is planned for an end of the day reflection
A graph paper notebook will be purchased at the end of the week after a few trial formats on regular lined paper.
Room for kata will need to be established over time. That will come as my goal of decluttering progresses.
So here’s to better thoughts upon waking up tomorrow!
“Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.”
~Ronald Ostrom