Sometimes this waiting game can cause a little anxiety. The desire to know the outcome, to have the result complete and be finished with the anticipation can be overwhelming. I continue to remind myself that the state of mind that is important to reside in is the present. At moments this has been very effective….
For example, yesterday a few people from the team went into Dublin city proper again and walked around, shopped a bit, hung out, goofed, laughed, all good stuff. Then I popped on the light rail and headed to another Bikram hot yoga class for a good stretch/meditation, and off to a fresh market for some healthy fuel for my body.
During this time it was easy to be in the present and enjoy the company I was with, allowing myself to live into this exciting adventure a moment at a time.
At other times it has been rather difficult. I don’t ever forget (even while I am having fun) that I have trained for many months to come to this arena to fight. When I visualize the fights I will have here (often), and when I watch the videos of previous fights that have happened to prepare (often), I can feel a knot in my stomach, tightness in my chest, and a gripping in all my muscles. Some of this is excitement and anticipation, a bit of it is fear, a lot of it is “LETS GET THIS DONE, LETS DO THIS NOW”. I felt this yesterday after our short workout and walking into the venue where we will be fighting.
I wanted to fight then and there. I wanted it to be done. I wanted to know that I had come out of it victorious and successful. Breathe in, Breathe out. As Terry (my coach) is fond of telling me, focusing on the outcome is not what matters, executing the technique in the moment does. Execute the technique, Lisa. Everything I have worked on, ALL this effort I have put in, comes down to just a few minutes in the ring, and it all needs to come together to be successful. It will come together by releasing expectations and concerns over what will happen and living in the moment, executing to the best of my ability in the moment.
I tell you what, sometimes this feels like a tall order, however, I want to live this life challenged to grow and expand. And so it is. And so I am.
And just for fun, watch this, these guys ARE REAL!
I found out I am fighting Brazil first, hopefully tomorrow. I will let you know when I find out!
super great to see your adventure!!! we are with you in spirit. jill is kicking our butts back here. we look forward to your kicking of butts over there. strong power!
So Grateful this Thanksgiving for the opportunity God has granted you to do what you love to do … your heart’s desire kickboxing! So happy to hear you won your first fight! We are so proud of you and you will always be a winner and # 1 in our eyes. Love you so much more! Dad and Mom