Control Your Body. Be an Athlete.

I discovered yet another weakness during my workout with Alhaji today. We did some exercises that involved bounce-passing or tossing a medicine ball on the grass. It doesn't bounce particularly well and its surface is deceptively smooth so it's quite hard to catch. After watching me fumble around awkwardly for a while, he said "control your body." 

This was a poignant comment for me, not just for during physical training but for my day-to-day life as well. Lately I've been thinking that I need to slow down, focus, do one thing at a time and do it well. I think many of you can relate, yes? Sometimes I get so excited and/or motivated that I try to multitask to the point where I can't possibly do any of the things I'm doing well.

At one point we were sitting in a circle with our feet off the ground tossing the ball around. It takes a lot of abs to maneuver in that position as it turns out. After watching me get hit by the ball a few times when I missed it, Alhaji said "Be an athlete. Move your legs." Oh. Right. Funny how sometimes even the simplest solutions don't come to us during times of duress (like when heavy things are being thrown at you.)

Remembering that I am quite capable of being a coordinated and even graceful person, at least with things like dancing or running, I decided to shift my thinking and, well, be an athlete. Move like an athlete. Think like an athlete. Quick feet, mind sharp, always watching what's going on around me. Ready for anything. 

It's about being present in the moment I think. And learning to trust your body.