MOVEMENT FOR A LIFE LESS ORDINARY
“Life is a fight for territory and once you stop fighting for what you want, what you don’t want will automatically take over.”
- Les Brown
When I first read this, it landed with great resonance.
I was feeling despondent having been let go from a company I'd been working for for nearly 3-years, after an disagreement with my boss.
I'd felt stuck there for nearly two years, with little evident career progression and I'd been too scared to move. I had effectively been coasting for two years by the time a flash-point with my boss resulted in my departure.
Unemployed and without a reference I'd want to use, I was feeling that it didn't seem to matter how hard I worked or tried, I was destined for a career as a corporate foot soldier, carrying out low-level tasks for upper management.
It quickly occurred to me that a lack of confidence and self-worth was why I'd been too scared to move. A fear of rejection or failure meant I was happy to remain where I was, even if disgruntled.
I was never going forward nor toward my dream scenario without a fight.
But the fight would never be won if I did not believe in myself to start with. Belief is a baseline. And patience is your best companion.
You can lose a fight, that's the risk.
You may have to fight several times before making incremental progress, but no fight - no gain.
It was clear enough to me that fear would bring me comfort of-a-kind and predictability, but with it low self-esteem and dissatisfaction.
A fight, although a risk, would bring me excitement and an opportunity to create something I could be proud to speak of.
I have tasted low self-worth, depression and bitterness. It is not my flavour.
The metaphorical 'fight' lasts as long as you're willing to put up with it.
Using active language such as the word 'fight' determines this to be a visceral and physical experience, when it is often mental.
The best way to sustain the 'fight' in your life, mentally, emotionally and physically is through movement.
Movement and exercise is a physical outlet for my intent - it is when I actively fight to move myself forward.
It is a cathartic outlet and a circuit breaker from the mental 'fight' - it is when my mind quietens.
It renews my sense of self.
It refreshes my sense of agency - I am reminded that I can control me and most often that is all I can control in a random, disordered universe.
Control you. Fight for you.
Live the life you love.
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