I receive a lot of messages on social media from people asking how they can overcome a fear or an obstacle. I don’t mind listening. If they ask my advice, though, I will give it. It is not always what they want to hear.  My advice often centers on the fact that life changes constantly. It is important to not focus on how the changes are limiting, but how you can grow and achieve because of them. Flexibility and self-confidence are critical. One day you are healthy, the next you have a debilitating injury that prevents you from doing what you have always done. How do you cope?

Martial artists often experience changes during the aging process or from injuries that create physical limitations. They get frustrated and even angered when they learn via medical staff that they should not, or cannot, continue in their normal physical martial art journey. What they really hear in their own mind is “You cannot achieve anymore,” when what they should be asking themselves is, “How can I still achieve, even with this difficult situation?”

I often use the example of jump sidekicks. I have never been good at them. In all honesty, I cannot really do them at all. Maybe I have not practiced enough, but I know that some people who learn them can do them without any problem.  When I try, I feel weighted, like I am made of concrete. I choose to not focus on the fact that I cannot do these particular kicks, but on the fact that I can do so many other beautiful types of kicks, and they all make me stronger.

A woman martial artist who was a fighter in the 1960’s and 1970’s, and today is a martial art icon, told me that years ago she had a severe back injury, a fractured vertebrae, and was told she might never walk again unless she had a surgery. After hearing the details of the surgery, she felt it was more likely she would never walk again after having the surgery!  She began to focus on abdominal exercises and core work so she could relieve the pressure off her back. She understood her own body, created a plan to overcome the limitation, and eventually became a fitness guru with an amazing body and is still active in martial arts.

The first thing most people want to do when told that they have a limiting injury, or that they can no longer do what they have always done, is to fall into the victim mode, throw their hands up and say, “That’s it. Everything I have always loved to do is gone.”  The key to the improving the situation is deciding how you want to cope.  Of course, everyone needs time to work through bad news. But, using positivity, you can move through the disappointment more quickly and into the action and acceptance stage. If you cannot do something anymore, replace it with something else.

The world is full of opportunity. Open your eyes to it. Blow the lid off the box into which you have placed yourself and look beyond this moment and this limitation. One difficult situation does not mean you have no chance to succeed. Rather, it means that you need to create a new pathway to success.

Keep pushing through!

xoxo

Andrea

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Pick up my motivational books and stay inspired!

The Martial Arts Woman : https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Arts-Woman-Motivational-Stories/dp/1544916213

Martial Art Inspirations for Everyone: https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Inspirations-Everyone-Andrea-Harkins/dp/150297830X