EP 13- Arrow Tip Tuesday: STOP, Collaborate, and Meditation
Arrow Tip: STOP, Collaborate, and Meditation
As athletes, our competitive drive often trickles into other avenues of our lives. Like driving down avenues For me, whenever I used to go anywhere, I needed to get there pronto without any delays. I had zero patience for traffic and red lights were poison in my blood.
When I drive places. I always leave with just enough time to account for typical traffic, with a little buffer for unforeseen circumstances. It’s a habit, I’ve mentioned before in my blog post, The Day I Single Handedly Delayed my Flight to Australia. I have this uncanny ability to arrive at places with seconds to spare. I’m not often late, but I show up just in the knick of time. On my journey to play overseas in Australia. I was in the wrong terminal, my flight was taking off in 30 minutes, and my savior Karina came to the rescue, held my hand through airport security, as we weaved in and out of the crowd, and made it to fight by nothing short of a miracle.
I have that unique timeliness on a more low key level with driving. I leave with just enough time to get me to my destination.
It’s mostly well worked for me time-wise, but sometimes it’s a recipe for emotional disaster.
For instance, I’ll be cruising to training and hit a red light. My mind reacts:
Squirrel poop! Squirrel poop? How on earth you think of squirrel poop, Kendall? On a serious note, where do squirrels poop? Why do we never see squirrel poop?
My sporadic, and intelligent inquiry, softens the blow of the first red light. But the second unanticipated red light… that’s when the internal sirens signal. I get antsy. As if there are literal fire ants crawling around and pinching the inside my gut.
Did I allow myself enough time to get there? Am I going to be late? Kendall you always do this, leave earlier next time!!
On green, I rev up my engine to make up a few seconds. But then I hit another red, and my face turns the shade of the light.
I hate being late. I care about peoples time. I want to show responsibility and respect others time and myself. Dang it Kendall!
Every time I hit a red light, or traffic, the ants inside of me make babies, intensifying the discomfort.
Of course, I somehow make it right on time, but with unnecessary uneasiness inside of me.
But, I’ve found a trick that have bug-sprayed the discomfort inside of me. And it’s not leaving earlier, because that would be too easy. Plus,I’m a rebel and like to live on the edge.
When we see red lights, we are conditioned to stop because we’re consciously aware that if we don’t stop, we risk harming others or ourselves, and potentially receive a ticket. We obey the red light because it’s easier than dealing with the consequences of running it.
But just as we train a dog to pee outside, I have retrained myself to view red lights to what I deem, the STOP, Collaborate and Meditation Method.
Instead of viewing red lights as the devil. I see them as resembling loving kindness, hearts, autumn leaves, Clifford the Big Red Dog, bell peppers…and all the other beautiful things in life that are red. Most importantly, I see it as an opportunity to take time for myself. Every time I hit a red light now, I connect to myself. I take a few deep breaths, and refocus my attention on the present and all the things I have to be grateful for.
It’s such a great tool for those who feel they are always going pedal to the metal in all areas of their life. Now, red lights are magic. You deserve time to yourself.
Arrow Tip: Whenever you hit a red light, think of all the things that are the color red that make you happy. Then take three deep breaths and thank the red light for allowing you to take time for yourself.
Then on green, rev up the engine to make up the time you lost. Just kidding, don’t do that. Or do. Baby steps.
Do have little patience for traffic? If so, how do you deal with it? Let me know in the comments.
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