Do You Have the Courage to Quit?
Do You Have the Courage to Quit?
We have idolized the importance of pushing against all odds. Somehow, we make this out to be an heroic act. In some cases it is; in others it’s not.
If you watched the Winter Olympics last week, you know what I am talking about. Russian figure skater Evengi Plushenko withdrew from the men’s skating due to a back injury just a day after helping his team win a gold medal.
As I watched the event unfold, I was both saddened and heartened at once. Hundreds of thousands of his fans were waiting with bated breath for him to perform. As he stepped onto the ice to warm up, he tweaked his already injured back. Then when it was his turn to compete, he looped around the rink once and checked in. He felt his truth. He realized his body could not perform. He skated over to the judges and told them he was withdrawing.
But that is not the story the media told. The media criticized him for dropping out. To some politicians, it was a blow to Russian pride, CBS news reported.
What courage it took for him to take a stand for himself!
But what is this really getting us—this idea that we must push even though we know we will hurt ourselves in the process? It’s feeding our egos, hurting us, depleting us with years of struggle.
And if you’re an Olympic athlete —or an NFL player for that matter– it may mean destroying your body and the health of it for the rest of your life for the sake of pleasing public opinion. What a price to pay!
I admire Evengi for his courage. Do you?
Sometimes in our own lives, it’s time to admit defeat, to pass the torch when something no longer serves us in order that we might move on to something else that does serve us.
But this choice is not for the weak at heart. It’s reserved only for those who have a strong call to live the life of their dreams. Join me for the Yoga Experience starting April 12 for the inside scoop on how to live your life courageously and authentically.
Be the light,
Laurel
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