The Tuesday Post: Showing Stregnth

The Tuesday Post: Showing Strength

     I know that it has been awhile since my last Blog Post.  Be assured; I'm still plugging away at my DDP Yoga and getting closer to getting Certified!  However, when struggles happen, my default is not to voice them.... to just drive through and Show Strength.

     Cat Arnett, a true friend with a kind heart and continuing Success Story as a part of Team DDP Yoga, posted something on Facebook that really spoke to me  It was one of  those Copy & Paste to your Wall sort of things that I don't normally participate in.  However, it was one that was rattling around in my brain for awhile now. 

     This is the way I read it.  

"Everyone will go through some hard times at some point. Life isn't easy. 

Just something to think about...did you know the people that are the strongest are usually the most sensitive? 

Did you know the people who exhibit the most kindness are the first to get mistreated? 

Did you know the ones who take care of others all the time are ...usually the ones who need it the most?

Did you know the three hardest things to say are... 

'I love you'...

'I'm sorry'....

...and 'Help me' 

?

Sometimes just because a person looks happy, you have to look past their smile and see how much pain they may be in"

    The biggest reason that I don't voice the times when I struggle is that I don't want to perpetuate Drama and Negativity.  I know that there are a lot of people out there right now that have their own share of struggles.  The last thing that I want to do is burden others with mine.  

     Logically, I know I have friends out there that I can go to and that I can turn to.  But, its that fear of causing problems  for others and not showing that I'm strong enough to handle it on my own that inclines me to shut down & compartmentalize things.  Some people with similar struggles will go as far as shutting down their Social Media Accounts and avoid a lot of interaction with people, if they can help it. 

     While I will interact with people, I often catch myself "Stiff Arming", which is a Judo Term meaning not letting people into your space.  While this keeps people at bay, it also restricts the ability to make things happen.  Stiff-Arming is not a Logical Reaction, but one based in fear.. and one that I have to work on daily to overcome.

     The other thing that will happen, which you see a lot but not really associate it with someone that is having problems, is Over-Acting.  We saw this happen with Robin Williams.  Again, these sort of things are a Control, something to deflect concentrating on where the problem is.  And, like Stiff Arming, its not a Logical Reaction. 

     So, what's the solution?

     Honestly, I don't know.

     The only thing I can come up with, as this point is the analogy of the Two-Way Street. 

     For those that are traveling towards the sun: Be watchful of people stuck on the side of the road & don't be afraid to lend a hand.

     For those that are traveling into darkness or feel lost; Don't be afraid to stop & ask for directions.

     Whichever way you are traveling, my Friends, don't be afraid to....

#OwnThisDay

Travis "Midwest Strong" Roberts 

The Wednesday Post: Challenges

THE WEDNESDAY POST:  CHALLENGES

     Project MoKA is moving along!  On Tuesday evening, I completed teaching TWO Level 1 Classes (one In Person, one Online through Google Hangout).  I’ve gotten a lot of great responses from people that have worked out with me so far!  So much so, that I’m starting to get people recommending to seek me out (always a good thing, right?)!  It is that sort of response that tells me that I am going in the right direction. 

     The GoFundMe Campaign is slowly moving along.  Any contribution would be welcome, whether monetarily or if you share it with your friends.  I really want to be available for as many people as I can.  If you would like to donate to the cause, just go to the Virtual Tip Jar on the Home Page or click on the GoFundMe link.  With your help, we can make that happen!  

     Recently, I saw a post from someone that was having some issues doing some of the Challenges going around on Team DDPYoga through the Site and on Facebook due to some physical issues.

     My Response to this goes like this…

     There are a lot of great Challenges out there right now: Slow Burn Push-Up Challenge, the Wall Chair Challenge, the Bun Guns & Abs Challenge are three of them that I happen to be working on.  However, just because  a lot of people are taking part in one Challenge or another, doesn’t mean that you have go along with it.

     One of the most important things that DDP stresses in his workouts (especially the longer ones) is “Check Your Ego At The Door & Modify Wherever You Need To”.  That means that if you can’t hit a certain position or exercise (whether you are doing a Challenge, doing a Live Workout, or following along with the DVDs), do not feel that you have to do things the exact same way everyone else is doing.   If you need to modify your position to make the exercise work, do it and challenge yourself to improve until you can actually nail the position!  

     The Biggest Thing to keep in mind when it comes to these Challenges is this: The only person that you are competing with is yourself!  The prize that you get at the end of it…  no matter how you approach the Challenge… is a better You!