Training Session #36- July 14: How do you satisfy your fear?

In 2013 I was diagnosed with sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disorder that chewed a hole in my cerebellum, atrophied various muscles, impaired my vision, balance, coordination and consequently stole my ability to run. I have dedicated the summer of 2018 to regaining my strength, coordination, balance, and relearning how to run. I am participating in a 5k run on September 23rd in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This is my training journal. This is my attempt to grow physically strong again.

Write on. Fight on.

The previous training sessions can be found here, under “Fight on- Summer Training Log”

Time:

7:00 am to 8:15 am

Conditions:

Indoor

Training Maxim:

No hurry. No pause.

Training Performed:

Chest press 3 reps x 10 ea.- 90 lbs
Shoulder press 3 reps x 10 ea.-70 lbs
Inverted row 3 reps x 10- 70 lbs
60 Kettle bell swings- 15 lbs
80 abdominal crunches
Balance exercises on a Bosu Ball including: step-ups, stand upright on the ball with my eyes closed, squats on the ball

This is a Bosu Ball:

Accomplishment:

Training on the Bosu Ball.

I have noticed the Bosu Ball in the corner of the gym for some time now, yet I have been hesitant to train on it. What if I fall–in front of strangers? But today I used it (and didn’t fall) which was a big accomplishment for me.

Quote I’m Thinking About Today:

“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity.” ~Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Reflection:

When I was a kid I would complain to my father, “Dad, I’m hungry.”

He would look down, smile, and reply, “Hi hungry, I’m dad.”

When we declare, whether publicly or privately, that we’re hungry it’s hard to focus on anything else but food.

But for most of us finding enough food to eat until we’re full and satisfied is not a problem.

Fear works the same way as hunger. If you declare, “I’m afraid” it’s impossible to think of anything but your fear.

But how do you satisfy your fear?

The legend of actor Henry Fonda is this: even at 75 years old, after appearing in over 100 films, television shows, and stage productions Henry Fonda threw up every time before he went on stage. When he was finished, he would stand up, clean his face, take a drink of water and go on stage.

Despite his fear, Henry Fonda satisfied his fear by doing the thing he was afraid to do–going on stage.

Like hunger, fear will only grow stronger, more consuming the longer we ignore it.

Treat fear like hunger.

“I’m afraid.”

So eat. Satiate your appetite by taking action. Know that the only thing that will satisfy your fear is doing the thing you’re afraid to do.

Exercise, start your book, put down the bottle, have that conversation. Do the thing you’re afraid to do and over time you will find yourself full.