Get up early, cold plunging, sauna, rucking, mindset…LFG

Pushing myself to do the things I don’t want to do, don’t think I have time for, don’t think I CAN do or finally tackling the dreaded chores I’d been avoiding, has been a life-changing asset for overcoming and dealing with the smaller struggles of daily life and even failures, from which there is always something to be learned. These intentionally inflicted struggles have strengthened my mindset, boosted my confidence, and ultimately, helped me achieve (or manifest?) things I would have never thought I could have done 20 years ago. It makes me more resilient to the little things, the everyday struggles and stressors that life constantly throws my way. Granted if there is something I REALLY don’t want to do or is of danger, of course I don’t. When I do take the steps to take on a challenge, even if its a struggle, maybe even ending in failure and I have to call for help….I feel accomplished, worthy, capable, self sufficient, more confident and more knowledgeable just embracing the ol’ Nike tagline….”Just Do It”.

As a young child (my fourth grade year) my parents moved us to Riverside. Woodcrest, to be exact, and at that time it was, in my innocent experience, rural. We had an acre (plus) of land and a creek in the orange groves just two houses down at the end of our dirt road where we spent lots of time as kids exploring and playing. We (Dad) raised rabbits, chickens, goats and a cow on our property. I showed the goats in 4-H and Dad raised the rabbits, chickens and the cow (or I guess steer) for food. We (the kids) named the cow T-bone and raised him (in our minds) as a pet, along side the horses, goats and cats and dogs. And then (in what I recall to be a very short time), we (Dad) had him butchered, and we ate him. All of him. And Dad made us try every cut…rocky mountain oysters, and all. His motto was you have to, at the very least, try it. If you don’t like it, you never have to eat it again. And for the record, I tried it and have never had it again. I can’t even say it was the flavor or the texture, as much as it was, the idea. However, that practice was instilled into me in my most formidable years, and for that, I am grateful.

That “practice” has faded in him and he now lives a very “routine” and comfortable life and at 83, he is entitled. I try to encourage him, as he is the one who taught me, but he is impatient and I don’t push. It makes me sad to see, but it has also awakened a fire in me and I don’t ever want to become complacent, or too comfortable. I have learned comfortability and complacency feeds fear, boredom, fuels depression and anxiety and a general discontentment with life. I have also learned that this practice needs to be “revitalized” or “challenged” in me, regularly. I am working on it…daily. Trying to push myself out of my comfort zone with various practices (cold plunging, sauna sessions, rucking, intense trainings) and tackling tasks that I think are too big or hard for me at every opportunity I can….or choose to.

Anytime I think nah, or “I don’t have time” I have re-framed my thinking to “p***”, do work”!! I am still working on less-harsh self-talk, but as of now, being “sweet” doesn’t push me to the finish line. Taken from my trainings and studies into Yoga, breathwork and meditation, when I’m rushed and stressed, I simply stop, close my eyes, connect to the presence of my space, slow my breath, move slowly and get to work. I am always (pleasantly) surprised at what I can actually get done….or very close to being done. Focus. Concentration. Discipline. This is how we reframe our “programmed” beliefs – one challenge at a time and acknowledging efforts, success, failures and lessons. And a big shout out to authors/speakers David Goggins and Michael Easter – highly recommend their books for more inspiration and a good kick in the butt!

Stop doubting yourself and just try. Embrace the challenge and the struggle. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. There is a huge opportunity for growth with failure. Just Try. You will surprise yourself.

Namaste, Cindy