Slaying Dragons.....

I'm amazed at how much over-thinking goes into making posts that aren't filled with it!  I'm not the best at superficial.  Oh well, today it is all about real, transparent, authentic and yes a bit of over thinking exercises to get those muscles ready for use.  The finals are now less than a week away.

I've been talking to a few "athletic" friends....folks who compete at an intense level in their sport: runners, football players, and a sports psychologist or two.  Now not all of these folks are talking to me with facetime.  Some are on my iPod but still they speak truth.  A few weeks ago, I was asked, "what are you really afraid of?:  Not Pollyanna answers such as 'heights' and 'yellow jackets' but the dig deep answers of what holds you back from being all you can be.  Until those dragons can be identified, hunted down and slayed....or at the very least taserred.....then peak mental performance will be hindered to some degree. 

As I work towards the finals, I have been working more on me than my dogs.  I love the fact that the finals are just a pull-over view point on the scenic route of our relationship with my dogs.    It is not a destination, nor an ending, nor does it define me or my dogs......I get that with my girls.  Thankfully, this relationship with my dogs is not defined by expectation or productivity from their perspective! That is one of the many gifts of dogs.

On the other hand, I bring 40+ years to the table......growing up in a highly competitive family and then all the nuances that make up me from my lifetime.  Addressing "FEAR"...fear of failure, fear of success, fear of what ifs....has been interesting, to use that word ever so lightly.  I shared some of my fears with a friend and talked about how not much of any of them are valid.  But until I find them and sort them...they most certainly linger and, like the compost pile Miss Grace loves to roll in, leave a bit of stink. 

As I look around at the top hands I respect ever so much; those that let me have a glimpse of their mind games, I wonder.  What mental discipline plays into their "performance"?  I'm lucky to have mentors willing to talk...and also just as lucky to have access to other pro's from other walks of life.  What separates those that go on to live life to its fullest from those that settle for mediocrity?  I'm not of the belief it is all talent...there are enough of those with limited talent that achieve greatness through discipline and intense desire for excellence (they do indeed work hard).  There are also those of incredible talent that never get to the next level from lack of the very same.  But what is that "thing"?

I'm still hunting my dragons.  They are clever creatures.....very chameleon like in their ability to blend in with my functional foundation.  Some I've even considered friends...and clung to them: Chocolate to name one (or two since I can love dark chocolate as much as the rich creamy milk)!  Although the new findings are...chocolate is good for your heart.....just maybe not mine!

Slay some dragons......

Seize the Day