|
America, several days ago I promised to start a new installment on SO WAT – the wise old philosopher from back in the day. So before I get sidetracked going off on some other tangent, lemme just say – enjoy! And holla at’cha boi if you have any questions on training, diet, posing, yada, yada, yada. I’m here to help you, but you gotta make the first move...’Nuff said?”
The Philosophy of SO – The Land of Competition: Part I
Long ago, in the very ancient, the all-wise and all-knowing philosopher SO WAT was approached by his favorite pupil, Weedhoppah.
“Master,” said Weedhoppah. “I have trained with you for some time now. I have listened to everything you said. I have learned well. I know everything you have taught me. I am strong. I have great stamina and endurance. I would like to travel to the land of competition.”
SO looked at Weedhoppah. “This is a long and difficult journey you ask for.”
“I am ready,” replied Weedhoppah. “This journey to the land of competition shall be easy. I know of and have seen many others who have traveled to this land and done well. I too am ready to do well.”
Master SO sighed, “Weedhoppah, much you have still to learn. The land of competition is 11 weeks away. Many things we must do before we arrive there. It is true that you know everything I have taught you, but you must understand that you do not know everything I know. There is still much to learn. The land of competition is full of pitfalls, many which can your undoing be. This is not an easy journey.”
“It shall be fun and I shall do well in the land of competition,” replied Weedhoppah. I am full of energy. I am eager to go. Do not hold me back, Master, for this is something I want to do...no...this is something I MUST do.”
Master SO bowed his head slowly and looked down at the ground. How could he say no to his favorite pupil. Yet he knew from years of experience that this land of competition had taken many of his students, never to be seen again. SO took a big breath. “Many times I have traveled to the land of competition. The land of competition is SIMPLE, but the land of competition is not easy. We shall go to the land of competition, but you must do exactly what I tell you. Any deviation and you will not make it. Any deviation and we will turn back. Is this agreeable to you?”
“Yes Master,” Weedhoppah excitedly replied!
“This will be a long and difficult journey. It may start out fun and easy, but it shall end hard and rough.”
“Have you no faith in me, Master? Have I not proven myself worthy many times in other ventures? I have done much for you and with you. By your side I have stood meeting challenge after challenge with you.”
“Ahhh Weedhoppah,” mused SO. “I knew this day would one day come. I have always had faith in you. I have believed in you from the very beginning. Yes, you have learned. Yes, you have proven yourself worthy. But the land of competition is far more challenging and veritable than ever I could be. You must understand that the journey you are about to go on is a mental journey. It is a wide road in which many start down but quickly it narrows and winds until just a few remain. Do I in you believe and have faith? Yes. That is why I shall allow you go on this journey. But one question remains that I must ask you. Why do you to this land want to travel now?”
“Master, I am intrigued by this land of competition. It is something I have wanted to do for quite some time. I am excited for the opportunity to interact with others. I believe that when we challenge each other, I shall come out victorious over my opponents.”
Master SO stroked his long white beard. “Weedhoppah, the first lesson you must in the land of competition learn is this: The challenge is from within, the opponent is yourself, the reward is private, the victory is having met the challenge! Even though there will be others there, remember that you must always seek first the victory of self. When this is accomplished, only then can we look for victory over others.”
“I understand,” said Weedhoppah. “When do I leave?”
“WE shall go to the land of competition, but before we do, I must something of you ask. Do you see the rocks in the middle of the stream? They are blocking water from flowing downstream. Go into the stream and bring back one rock in each hand. Start with the smallest ones and work up to the largest. Do not deviate from this – one rock in each hand, smallest to the largest. Let me know when you are done.” Master SO turned around and strolled off, hands clasp behind his back.
Weedhoppah watched in astonishment as Master SO walk off! Why was he wasting time moving rocks when he needed to start on the road to the land of competition? But he remembered what Master had just told him – that he must do exactly as Master ordered. Weedhoppah did not want Master SO to cancel his journey. So he hitched up his robe and waded into the water. The current was strong. Weedhoppah had to continually fight the current to get to the middle of the stream and then back to shore. Also, the water was cold. Weedhoppah shivered constantly as he waded into and out of the icy water. Many times he was tempted to carry more than one rock in each hand, but he did not. Many times he was tempted to carry the heavier rocks first, but he did not. He did exactly as Master ordered. Many times he stumbled upon the slippery rocks under his feet. Many times he had to lift himself out of the water rocks in hand. Weedhoppah did not notice that soon he was developing a pattern of moving fluidly from rock to rock. His balance was improving, as was his coordination. Within a short while Weedhoppah was moving effortlessly in and out of the water. Weedhoppah also did not notice that as he lifted heavier and heavier rocks, it actually became easier and easier.
When he was done, Weedhoppah found Master SO. “Master, I have finished the task you asked of me. I have moved all of the rocks out of the middle of the stream. It is no longer blocked. I moved the rocks one in each hand from the smallest to the largest as you said. I slipped and fell many times at the beginning but by the end I was able to move in and out of the water effortlessly. Now can we start on our journey to the land of competition?” End of part I – to be continued...peace!
The Dr.
--
Dave "Dr. Buff" Patterson
Personal Training Systems | "There Are No Shortcuts!"
http://www.personaltrainingsystems.net
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
mobile: 253-576-4859
“Whether you believe you can or you believe you can’t,
you’re absolutely correct!”
Tags:
|
Dr Buff
