It takes the right person

I did my first hand stand push up tonight! YEAH! It is the craziest thing. I practiced slinging myself merciless up against the wall last night, but could never get myself vertical for more than a few seconds. Basically, I would throw myself so hard like trying to do a cartwheel that I would hit the wall, bounce, and fall to the floor. At one point, I actually thought I may go through the wall and so did my family. It became comical and painful. After about twenty attempts, I gave up figuring I would never do it. Last night I would have told you it was impossible for me. To be truthful, it really bothered me. Just a week ago in my crossfit class I watched others do this that most days I could out do strength wise. I couldn't understand it. I reasoned that I was doing something wrong. I gave in to the fact that maybe my strength wasn't as great as I thought. I even considered that maybe I just didn't have what it takes to do it at all and it was hopeless so I needed to move on.

But the nagging persisted in the back of my head all day today. I quickly tried to push it aside and told myself to let it be. As my friends would tell you the OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) that I have just wasn't going to let it go. My brain says I have to do it even if my body parts may not be able... they must rise to the occasion. I can't let it go... you get the picture.

Tonight after class I jokingly was telling everyone about my adventures last night and that I was bruised from head to toe from combat with the wall. The instructor tonight, who fills in periodically, said let me see you do it. He watched once again as I slung myself and said "you are doing it wrong." he then preceded to tell me exactly what to do. He assisted me once so I could see how it felt. On the next attempt, I did it exactly as he said on my own and then I did it again and again. I had mastered the hand stand and one push up by the end of just about five minutes. It was an awesome feeling, but the thing is it was all about technique. It had nothing to do with my strength, my desire, or my capabilities. It just took one person watching me, telling me what I was doing wrong, and correcting it.

Sometimes it just takes the right person to get us where we want to go and we are done. Now to master the pull up!