“Your ability to generate power is directly proportional to your ability to relax.”-Allen
This was another one of those things I read at just the right time.
Stress has a funny way of testing our abilities. I used to argue at length with my wife about good stress and bad stress. As a hopeless optimistic, I viewed stress in any way, shape or form as something that you should steer very clear of. If it could disrupt the zen pool, then I was out.
But a funny thing happened, I started not just running…but running really far. I would run for hours on end and sometimes through the night. Many times these were in races with other dedicated masochists. Other times it was totally solo, just to see how far I could run.
Whether I knew it or not I was slowly conditioning my body to respond to stress. Not only was I reaching it often, but I was seeking it out. I viewed stress as the threshold into the great unknown. It was the place where my ability (both mental and physical) was pushed to its limits. The more times I went to the place, the better I was able to deal with it. Not only was I able to deal with it, but I was able to push the envelope a little farther. Sometimes it meant another mile, some times it meant I could hold a certain perceived maximum effort just a little longer. This was not necessarily “easy stress”, but because of the way I responded it became “good stress”.
Just as life imitates art, I have found that it certainly imitates running. It’s a little funny how we have such fear of the “stressful” moments in life, that we choose to avoid them all together. Perhaps this is the great missed opportunity. In my home we rarely choose the most difficult path with the intent of just “seeing what happens”. But every time that one of life’s big stressors introduces itself without a proper invitation, we seem to respond quite well. Not only do we respond well, but in a really crazy way we seem to function better. Perspective is realigned. Values are re-centered. In the shadows of conquered challenges we stand tall and confident.
Stress will not kill you, but the anxiety of it will. If you think about it more than once, do something about it.
I have a little secret for you. No matter what happens tomorrow, you will be able to deal with it.
Patton
