LEARNING TO EXPECT TO FALL/FAIL
FALLING CORRECTLY SO ONE GETS BACK UP
Ike has been gone for almost 10 years but I still feel his presence because he taught me this principle of learning to fall/fail and I have cartoon strips like this to remind me of this great lesson of going through life. One of the first skills taught in Judo practice is to learn to fall correctly - learn to expect to fall and learn to roll so that one gets back up again without getting hurt. THE SECRET is to practice over and over again until it is automatic and no longer takes thinking.
Most recently, I have been challenged to reorganize my life with a new paradigm of circumstances and players in my life. There are many encounters where I face a difference of opinion and critical comments. I am practicing a way to “roll” and not get hurt. Therefore, I can get up and try again.
Last weekend, I spent a couple days with my friend who lives in Raymond, WA. She is originally from Japan. We spent two days, non-stop talking and recalling all the failures in our lives that we have overcome. It was an incredible feeling of fulfillment and renewal.
I learned in research that talking and having a listener is at the top of the list of STRESS RELIEF.