What goes down must come back up
Opinion
By: Shlomo Fishman
Capital Recreation is in business to make recreation accessible to all. I am not here to tell you the what, the who, and the when. I am here to support and encourage your positive behaviors. I am a Certified Recreational Therapist (CTRS) breaking down barriers to leisure and recreation participation. This blog is here as a tool to spread my personal thoughts and ideas. But most of all, to create community!
Last week was a rough one for me. I felt out of balance. The waves were rough, and I couldn’t seem to find the break I was looking for. It felt as though the harder I tried to get myself upright the more I kept sinking. It was not a good feeling. For this reason, there was no blog post. You know I like to keep it real. I was not going to write if it didn’t feel true to me. Because in the end of the day, this blog is more for me than anyone else.
After a week of wallowing in my sorrows and trying to get things right, I threw in the towel on the many other commitments I had and decided to do a few things for me. Since pandemic restrictions have been lifted, I feel as though I have been thrown into the deep end of the pool without the tools to stay afloat efficiently. And last week was one which I was in over my head. I couldn’t find my breath and the water overtook me the more and more I tried to work. Instead of trying harder to stay afloat by working so hard, I decided to reach for the wall and climb onto dry land and walk the line I wanted. For me, doing the things I love is what brings me most joy. If I am not doing them … then it feels as though all I am doing is splashing in the water.
This leads me back to where this all began and as outlined in a previous posting, Building Our Personal Rome. Falling back to these three focus points is what’s allowing me to get back on track and rebound this week. If these tidbits are helping me, I know these tidbits will help you too.
- One alarm and rise:
Set one alarm (if you use one to wake each day) and make the commitment to get up. It is about grabbing the day by the horns and making the commitment to start your day with taking ownership in how you start it. This is the perfect way to start your day and to do those tasks before the rest of the world wakes for the day. There’s something magical about starting the day with watching the sun rise!!
2. A single step:
You need not to bite off more than you can choose. Focus and set ONE small goal every single day that will help you reach your long-term goal(s). Not only will this enable you to reach and surpass your goals. It will enable you to focus and celebrate each day along the way. Each step needs to be celebrated and cherished!!
3. Compliment with sincerity:
This is a new one for me. Revise, this is one I started focusing one over the last 6 months. I have been making it my effort to focus and compliment whole-heartedly when things go both good and bad. When I have and can find the silver lining it just feels good. Not only does it feel good for me, but it also feels extra special for the person on the receiving end of the compliment. Just try it … look for the good, the positive, and the best effort in the individual or group. You will not regret it!
In closing, it all comes down to doing the hard-right. It is not always easy, but always worth it!! With some focus, vision, and continued work to be in the present moment — it becomes easier over time. It is about seeing yourself in various scenarios, in color or black and white, in fiction or reality, or just plain old grit and determination to get it done in the moment. Falling and failing is part of the growth process. Staying down and letting yourself be trampled is not the answer. It is about picking yourself up, dusting yourself off, and giving it your best in the given situation.
Finally, I always love hearing from you and your personal journey. Share your moments of growth and success on social media using the hashtag #shlomotrained
Until next time – peace, and virtual fist bump going your way!
Capital Recreation 