Let Go

Previously in this blog I've referred to my learning from the writings of Dan Millman, a former world champion gymnast and author of a number of mind-body books, the most famous of which may be "Way of the Peaceful Warrior." One of the ideas put forth in Dan's book, "Body Mind Mastery" resonated with me from my first reading. In fact, I felt so strongly about it that I had my husband write the words on the inside of my forearm with a Sharpie marker the morning I started my iron distance triathlon in Sonoma California two years ago. It was simple, yet so powerful for me, the words were "Let go!" If you look closely you can see the words on the inside of my right forearm in the photo.

While this may seem somehow different from the "letting go" of attachments often discussed in the Buddhist philosophy -- really it has a strong correlation. In this case, Millman is talking about letting go of trying (Nike repackaged the idea as "Just Do It"). Millman points out that often the harder we try -- and live in the mindset of try, the more tense we become. The more difficult things become for us. It is when we let go, follow the energy, relax into the play of life that we succeed and succeed joyfully. Trying creates its own resistance. Millman explains that "(T)he word 'try' itself implies weakness in the face of challenge." Try says we might not do. Trying can create internal forces in opposition to our goals. It is when we "let" it happen (with intent, of course) that we do. Millman calls this "understanding of the spirit of nonresistance" the "first step on the path of body mind mastery."

Isn't life really a celebration of doing? For now, I'm off to a big party called the Snowman Trek. I'll check in again in about a month. Be well, and remember to smile, it does a body good.

Snowman Training Note: I finished the Soles plan this weekend. Took a long walk on Sunday and enjoyed one last GaGa-infused versa climber workout achieving 3,100 vertical feet in 30 minutes on Monday.

Thought for the Day: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ~Mark Twain