Gave me a pause

Last night at a local game I watched a young man get upset at himself
after he made an error on the field. He displayed his anger for all to see,
letting everyone know that he flogs himself after a mistake.

A couple minutes later he made another error. He flogged himself again.

And then he made another error. Once again, he added more tension to
the situation by pouting and getting on himself.

Whenever this happens, the best thing a coach can do is remove the player
from the field. He's not doing anyone else on the team any good - and he's
not helping himself either. In fact, he's dragging the team down as they witness
his attitude.

She explained that even if you're good, you won't get any credit from many
folks because they'll say, "Ah, he's a hot head."

It's really hard to blow up when you're
being and doing at the same time; when you're living in the present moment;
when you're aware of your breathing - and when no matter what happens,
you let it go and move on to the next thing.

"Ever think of being and doing at the same time."

Show me someone who is just BEING - but never DOING -
and I'll show you a loser.

Same goes for someone who is so busy doing he never learns how
to BE and DO simultaneously. Eventually he'll fry his nervous system
and a rest will be required.

One of the hallmarks of great masters is that they learn how to use
their mind and body as one - and that's the way they're designed
to BE used anyway.

Before you do anything, how about taking time out to tune into your
breath, how about scanning your body for unnecessary tension.

Once found, release it and let it go.

Yes, you can plow through life with unwanted tension - but you can
soar through life without it. The differences involve speed and ease.

Unconsciously we tend to think that we'll get further faster if we add
more strain to the equation. But the opposite is true. We can do far
more far faster when we let go of the physical and psychological
tensions that are holding us back.

Matt Furey