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Deanna Black, MT, RYT |
May 10, 2007 |
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Volume 1, Issue 2 |
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This issue focuses on perfectionism and why we never really "fail." It's a bit of wisdom that I've learned along the way, and I recently read a book that I wanted to share with you. Please don't hesitate to share what you'd like to see in future issues and let me know how I can help you in your journey.
Namasté,
When interviewing for physical therapy schools I was asked to describe a weakness, a moment in which I had failed... I received a "D" in Financial Management and I remember talking to my professor and he said “Don’t worry about it. Look at me. I received a D and an F in college, and now I am a college professor with a beautiful family, five-bedroom home, two-car garage…” (This was in the 1980’s and, in southern Missouri, that was considered a mansion.) That "D" did come back to haunt me when I decided I wanted to be a physical therapist. My grades were not acceptable to the universities I had applied to. I had a 2.8 from Missouri Southern and 3.5 from Iowa State University as well as almost 2000 hours of practical experience in every aspect of physical therapy. Some 800 applicants for 36 openings. I had failed to get into physical therapy school. Now I realize that I have never failed, I have only experience. Failure is nothing but experience. Most often it is the standards of someone else that determines whether or not you failed. Andrew Carnegie, “Colonel” Harlan Sanders, George Burns, Charles Dickens, John Philip Sousa all were elementary school dropouts. Thomas Edison, Walt Disney, Benjamin Franklin and Albert Einstein had no formal education. Are they all failures? If they had all been perfect students, can you imagine what this world would be like today!? I think to what my own life would be like today—possibly in a clinic, abiding by insurance guidelines which don’t always provide enough for the patient and cramming in as many patients as possible in a short amount of time. Ugh. In the quest for perfection are you having fun? Are you enjoying what you do? Can you say, “I love my job!” “I love my body!” I love my life!”? If not, find a way to do so. It does not need to be a complete overhaul (then again, maybe it does!) A simple change like accepting imperfection as your personal perfection puts a positive spin on your outlook. Be inspired! Set and live up to your own definition of perfection.
By the way, the answer to the interview question? (The interview that
didn't get me into physical therapy school!) My weakness is ice cream. I
didn’t get into PT school, but I did get directions to the best ice cream
parlor in town!
Functional Energy...Make
your activities of daily living easier Sit on a stationary chair with arms. Place your hands on the arms of the chair and simply lift yourself up. If you want a challenge, pick your feet off the floor and now lift yourself up.
If your chair does not
have arms, place your
Other ways to strengthen
your triceps: Overhead tricep extension, Kickbacks, Push-downs,
Chaturanga/narrow push-up.
Summer Solstice: 1008 for 108
Lunar
Rhythms
Current Class
Schedule
Yoga means "to yoke," so when you are getting caught in a state of perfection and it is holding you back do this exercise: Yoke, or combine, breathing and mantra. Sit comfortably and bring length to your spine. Close your eyes blocking out visual distractions. Breath in and out through your nose. As you inhale say to yourself "Let" and as you exhale say to yourself "Go." Continuously repeat and connect with your breath. Inhale with confidence and lightness with whatever just happened in your life. Feel yourself relax and reconnect with each exhale. You may continue this for a couple minutes or even longer as your time permits. This will allow you to be present. It is the anticipation of the future and the concerns of the past which most often cause stress and preoccupy us with perfection. So take a moment and just breathe...inhale/let, exhale/go. Let go.
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©2007 Deanna Black. All Rights Reserved. |
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hands on the edge of the chair and walk your feet forward. The further you
walk your feet away from you, the more challenging this will be. Push your
arms straight and lift your rear up off the seat. Bend your elbows towards
the back as you lower yourself down until your elbows are bent 90
degrees. Push yourself back up and repeat. Take care that your shoulders
stay above your wrists and your back remains straight. (Anytime you bring
your shoulders forward away from your chair or bench, extra stress is
placed on the shoulders.) If you feel too much strain on the shoulder,
reposition yourself or avoid the exercise until you heal and strengthen
your shoulders.
