So the other day I wasted 30 minutes waiting for “the right train.”
Turns out “the right train” went past me 3 times in those 30 minutes. Why did this (stupid and embarrassing thing) happen? Because I didn’t commit. I just wavered back and forth on the subway platform. I didn’t even try to ask anyone for help. I just stood there doing this insane-looking dance back and forth every time a train pulled in. What was I afraid of? Getting on the wrong train? That’s not so bad, really.
This leads me to my big question: Do you want to spend your life doing an insane-looking dance? Or do you want to commit to something and have the most bad ass life ever?
I wasted 30 minutes of my day and looked like a jack wagon by not committing to my train. Can you imagine what I stand to lose if I don’t commit to my life? Now that shit’s terrifying.
Commit. That’s it.
This advice applies outside subway walls as well. It’s also true on your yoga mat. And in the rest of your life.
On your mat: What’s your dream pose? Is it handstand? Side crow? Maybe it’s a crazy transition – crow into handstand? Whatever it is – why haven’t you done it? Do you truly believe that you don’t have the strength or balance for your dream pose? Do you really trust your body that little?
My guess is that what’s holding you back isn’t your weak triceps. My bet is that what’s holding you back is indecision. Have you ever stopped yourself from trying something in a yoga class because you’re afraid you’re going to fall or fail? Does the fear of face planting (and shame) keep you from getting upside down? I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve wanted to get into an inversion, but stopped myself with bull shit excuses:
I’m not advanced enough.
I don’t have the upper body strength for that.
My hamstrings aren’t open enough for that.
The worst one ever: Eh, maybe tomorrow I don’t feel like it today.
Fuck tomorrow. If you don’t go for handstand then guess what – you’re not a handstander. That’s the bottom line. If you don’t commit then you’ll never get there. End of story.
In The Rest Your Life: Are you doing what you always dreamed of doing? Are you madly, deeply, passionately in love with your life? From morning to evening are you leading the life you want? If you aren’t, what the hell are you doing? What are you waiting for?
I demand that you get on “the right train.” I demand you commit to your yoga practice, your life, your dreams. Your first handstand is never going to be beautiful. You may just hold it for a half of a second, or you may just go ahead and fall on your ass. But every attempt that you make half heartedly is a waste of your time and energy. Handstands are hard – they require your attention; they require your time; they require sweat and tears and sometimes blood (or broken toes).
And that’s only for handstand. Your dreams are going to demand massive, extraordinary, impossible things from you. Do you except to make those things happen with a huge heart-felt “maybe?”
If you’re not all in then how in are you?
I dare you to commit to this moment and do something amazing. Live your life knowing that you are making every moment count for something. Don’t waste time with shrugs and maybe’s. Don’t waste energy by only kind-of trying.
This is your life – if you don’t commit to it, then who will?
I totally know you can do it.
XO (from NYC… because I committed to it.)
Heather C
When I first got into yoga, eight years ago, I quickly realized that I can’t do forward bends. I eventually learned that the cause was tight hamstrings. I also realized that I am super flexible – I have no trouble at all with the pigeon pose. A great teacher taught me to do what I can do, and work on what I can’t. She taught me some awesome modifications for poses requiring bends.
I still can’t do a forward bend, but I’m working on it. I believe that I keep getting closer. I’ve come to realize that no studio is going to expel me for not doing the Uttanasana.
yes! commit to commit!
This says very well what I spent last year figuring out! The half-lived life isn’t really living, merely that silly dance on the train platform. Now I’m committed to following my dream (writing). It’s hard, and I might fail, but life has never tasted so good!
Great! Keep it up – you’ll never know if you don’t try!
Rocky’s trainer told him “there is no tomorrow.” I forget too often. Thank you for the reminder. I just started a yoga DVD and commit to the warrior while I work on the rest 8)
Loved this! I was always saying that also in my life trying to live the best life for myself. Recently I’ve fell ill and had to pass a lot of time in an MRI searching for possible brain tumor. Thank God, it was just a scare but I realise now more then ever that I need to live MY life. As soon as im ok again im quitting my shitty office job and plan to travel a lot more and do things for me, me and me
))
I LOVE this post. Thank you. Thank you so much! Sometimes fear stops me from committing. However, I’m going to keep trying and letting myself fail but getting right back up until I reach my destination.