This entry is part of What Lies Within: An Entry Blank Series on Intangibles.
In martial arts class, we talk a lot about having a positive attitude. When I first started going to class, my inner high-schooler recoiled from the discussions of having an endlessly positive attitude. “Whatever,” it said. “That is such a crock.” Actually, though, it’s totally not a crock. My post high-school self has spent years trying to cultivate this attitude.
I know people who complain constantly all day. Their complaints begin when they wake up and don’t end until they fall asleep. I find constant complaining to be exceedingly irritating. I am, of course, guilty of complaining, but I’ve really tried to keep it to a minimum in the past few years. Why? Because life is just not that bad. Life is pretty great most of the time.
I have learned in the past couple of years that bad things happen frequently to good people. Truly horrible and terrible things blindside us on idle Tuesday mornings and Friday evenings and when you least expect it on Thursday afternoon. I feel like there are two ultimate reactions to having a terrible experience: you can either use it as evidence that life is awful and the world is terrible, or you can use it to put the better parts of your life into perspective.
A few weeks ago, one of my instructors at the studio was talking about starting every day with a great attitude. “When you wake up, say, ‘YAY! I woke up!” he said. “Because some people didn’t even make it that far.” He went on to discuss being sore from exercise. “Have any of you had sore legs from class?” Some people nodded. “Well, at least you have legs!” He has a point. There’s a lot we take for granted.
I think all of this relates to fitness in a lot of ways. Running is a great example of a sport where a positive attitude (okay, and sometimes grim determination) is required, and switching your view can be as simple as changing one word in the inner monologue that I’m sure all of us has every day. Don’t think, “I have to go running.” Think, “I get to go running.” There are people that don’t get to go running, ever, and they might desperately want to go running. There are people who would love to run even if it’s 90 degrees out and even if the humidity is at 90% and don’t get to.
It’s true that running can be hard and painful, and sometimes we have to cultivate a post-event positive attitude. At the Cooley Law School 5k, I didn’t have the best time ever (as evidenced in my blog). It was hot. It was humid. My feet almost spontaneously combusted. But looking back, I got to run that race. I raced well for the conditions. I got to win a medal. There are runners out there who never win a medal, even if they put in all the time and effort! I am a ridiculously lucky person. I’m ridiculously lucky in a lot of ways. I have the best family ever. I’m friends with some of the best people on earth. I have a fiance who is the best. I have a job. I have money to fund my running habit and buy fancy things like tech shirts and new shoes every 300 miles. I live near beautiful running trails. I have a Garmin. I have never been seriously injured.
Despite all this, there are still times that I get really frustrated with some aspects of life. Although I’ve worked at building a positive outlook in the last few years, there are still things that I just can’t stand (in other words, it’s a continuous process that will probably only end when I die). There are some things that make me really angry and yeah, they still get to me. But I’ve been discovering that even this frustration can be channeled into something good. I try not to run out my anger, because you’d be surprised how soon the adrenaline of being t-d off wears thin in an out-of-control sprint. However, there is a wonderful thing called martial arts class that I can attend up to five times per week. While in class, I get to learn kicking, punching, self defense, and lots of other things. Toward the end of class, we get to practice kicking and punching. You’d be surprised at how much harder angry people can punch (yet still with good technique). And you might be surprised at how much better one feels afterward.
Part of the “Widsom of the Week” this week is about how a great attitude will bring about great results, and I think it’s true. With a great attitude, you can turn a not-great experience into a learning experience. You can push yourself harder in a run or a workout. You can remind yourself that things could be a lot worse. And you can remind yourself how awesome things really are! Start with a great attitude and eventually great results will follow.
It’s okay to get frustrated and angry and sad and sometimes it’s just necessary to complain and to wallow in your anger/frustration/sadness. But at the end, just try to remember that you got to wake up today. And if you ran, you got to run. And if you saw a good friend or someone you love, you got to see them for another day. You get to keep reminding yourself and others that life is good. It’s not always easy. In fact, I’ll admit that there are times when it’s ridiculously difficult if not impossible for me. Still—I get to keep working at it. That’s a win.