On my recent walk through a local park I passed a little girl of around 5 years old straddling her bike. Her posture was upright, full of energy, almost defiant. The bike was shiny and new. I thought she probably got it for Christmas. Even with her taught posture, open face and wide eyes that reflected the bright sun, she was wailing at the top of her lungs. Her broad eyes were beet red, snot ran down her face, lips swollen and purple. Her heaving cries echoed around the soccer field.
I stopped and looked around. About 100 meters away I saw her father and young brother riding around in circles with ease, laughing, clearly enjoying themselves on this gorgeous winter day. I looked at them. I looked at the wailing girl. Part of me was irritated at the father & brother for just leaving her there like that, so utterly distressed and forlorn. I also knew they were not going to come and get her.
I said to the young girl, "Go! You do it. Put your feet on the pedals and GO. You CAN DO THIS." She looked at me, I said again, "GO!" and pointed to her father & brother. "I know you can do it! Go get them!" Before I could say anything else, her feet were on those pedals and she took off like a flash, powering down the sidewalk.
She was still wailing at the top of her lungs. I was in awe of her power to press on so determinedly, those sobs still echoing around the field. I coached her as she flew towards her family, "You GO girl! You GO." She reached her father & brother. Her dad gave me a big smile & thumbs up. Her sobbing stopped.
I continued walking around the park thinking, I know exactly what she felt like. Standing there alone, the world going by, not at all sure I can catch up. Feeling afraid no one will come and get me. I know what that wailing is like. I also thought I can access my deep determination and like this young girl did, put my feet on my pedals and GO. I may remain sobbing all the while, but I can get myself moving.
I think we all can relate to what that little girl felt like. And those of us who have a practice also know it can be our motivational coach during the wailing times. When we decide to not just take a class but instead own a practice, during the times we don't think we can possibly move, possibly see something different, we are able to draw upon our cultivated inner resources and support structure. Practice sustains us and keeps us moving even in the bleakest times. Even if we are wailing all the way.
The older I become the less I am inclined to glaze over the realities of life. Life is fun, hilarious, full of joy. It is also painful, unexpected and emotionally brutal. We must find substantial ways to both celebrate the highs, and also keep moving through the lows. Practice gives us those tools.
So Happy New Year everyone and even during those times when it's not happy, when your wails echo through the field, remember, having a practice gives you the capacity and the strength to set your feet firmly on those pedals and with fierce determination, push yourself forward down your life's path.