Friday, May 4, 2012

Why do we make things so freakin' complicated?



Good freakin' Lord!  Everybody is always trying to prove why "their method" is better than someone else's. Why "strong" is better than "skinny". Why "lean" is the "ideal".  Why one kind of exercise is better, one kind of yoga is better that another, why some foods are better than others.  Good God, really?

In my book, "The Swing" (in case you forgot the title, lol), I wrote about "uncommon, common sense"....where have we gone wrong? I believe we go wrong when we look for validation.  Validation that we are, in fact, RIGHT! I know the truth, not you!  I know the "real" truth, not you!  Seriously...when did we forget to have some fun?

How and where you find motivation to be your best you is irrelevant.  I know what I know based on my own experience.  I've been fat, really, really fat, AND therefore really, really unhealthy.  I never realized how bad it had been until I reversed it!  I had a clue (s) how bad it was getting because I was starting to feel as if I was going to die!  Seriously die...dead...gone.  Did "getting lean", or "getting strong", or become symmetrically balanced mean anything to me?  No, "living" was at the top of my priority list!  The rest is just icing on the cake (maybe we should all find another analogy that relates to something other than food?)

Here I post a video that resonated with me so deeply that it's taken a few days for me to post.  I came across it on facebook, and while I was playing it on my computer Mark came over to take a look see what I was watching.....  Mark posted the link to this video in his facebook page right away....me?  Well, I needed a couple, a few days before I could write the words to accompany my feelings about it.

I truly believe that "success" and maybe "hope" is THE great motivator.  When I feel successful I want more.  When I feel hopeful, I want more!  Failure and depression does not motivate me. Hearing about others struggles and doubts does not motivate me.

I have no struggle and I have no doubt. No one will ever tell me what is possible because now I know better.  And so does Arthur.  The kettlebell ballistics answered my prayers and I believe it can do the same for many, many others, like me (and I believe even Arthur would benefit!).  But the answer is success and hope.  How that comes to you is irrelevant.....but training kettlebells will support any other exercise or sport you chose do practice....FYI!  Don't make the answer more complicated and don't look for the reasons why it can't or shouldn't work.  Let go. Open yourself up to simplicity.  The simplicity of moving in the direction of feeling your best.  If you look for excuses they will find you!


19 comments:

Teresa G said...

I love this blog post, Tracy. I've been making things over-complicated for over 35 years. Now it's simple. It's made of cast iron. And it has a handle. :)

Tracy Reifkind said...

Teresa...sweet! Seriously...we need to relax! And I will take my own advice!

Unknown said...

Somebody believed in him and that was important. I like that a lot.
Believing is huge!

I'm going to repost it on my FB. Not for myself but for just that one person that might need it...

Tracy Reifkind said...

Hanneke....something inside of him believed and wouldn't let him give up! sometimes we find others to rescue us and then sometimes we find others to rescue!

And whether WE "need" it or not, we connect with the story.

Hanelle said...

This is brilliant!! I love how this clip demonstrates human resilience and determination. Often we just need that one encouraging word, that one kind ear, to get us started on our journey. Some years ago I also suffered immobility and chronic pain due to an injury, and went from doctor to doctor trying to figure it out. I also couldn't walk without crutches, and it was hell. Until I found the one person who really, really listened to me - who was willing to walk the extra mile with me and help me, even though he couldn't guarantee success. But thanks to him, and the grace of God, I got my life back, I can move again, I am active again and loving it. Some days it still hurts, and there are still a few things I can't do, but it's 100% better than before. I'm also sharing this to Facebook - everybody has to have a look at this!!

Diana said...

Yeah, that video is "HOT" on facebook right now! I cried big time over it!
Just goes to show.....when you believe in you-anything is possible!

Debbie said...

That's the ticket.....NEVER give up! I saw this video yesterday and it brought tears of joy to my eyes! How wonderful to see the courage and strength he has to believe in himself and his desire to live and move!

JenG said...

That was AWESOME! I definitely had tears in my eyes at the end of that video....how absolutely awesome and inspiring.

JenG said...
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Casey said...

Beautiful post, Tracy

guy said...

Yeah, if over-thinking things becomes an olympic sport champions will come out of the U.S. Sad to say but true!
That is why i love your and Mr. Reifkind's blogs, along w/ Dan John's as well. Simple, useful, uncomplicated, wonderful stuff on these 3 blogs, i don't need to look anywhere else for Physical Culture info.

Gayle said...

Really beautiful post.

Tracy Reifkind said...

Hannelle,

I really have no idea what it feels like to suffer a true injury, but I live with someone who does....my brilliant and strong husband, Mark. I'm not trying to compare something like gaining weight and becoming obese, a choice we all have, to a true injury. But however it is we may come face to face with a physical challenge it is our mind, our belief, and our wanting to feel free from it that pulls us along into hope...some kind of hope for better.

Tracy Reifkind said...

Diana, I think this is being recognized as "inspirational video of the year". and rightfully so!

Hmm....do I see a book deal following this?

Tracy Reifkind said...

Debbie,

Losing 100lbs can fix a lot of things! But sometimes we need to find something that motivates us to lose that 100lbs! that is part of the message!

Tracy Reifkind said...

JenG,

I always say, "If one person can do it, then IT can be done!"

No excuse.

Tracy Reifkind said...

Thanks Case!

Tracy Reifkind said...

Guy,

If some people could just hear themselves talking 1/2 of the problems would be solved!

One of my favorites....

Do you think losing 5 lbs a week is dangerous to my health?

My answer?

is being 25-40-50-100lbs dangerous to your health? Chose one.

Tracy Reifkind said...

Thank you Gayle!