Finding New Rhythms

I have been told on many occasions that I possess inner strength and resilience. These qualities have always helped me to navigate the tough times and persevere.  This doesn't mean I am organized or that I always operate efficiently. I do however operate at a high level given the circumstances. This has currently been my norm for almost a full year now. 

Lately though I am finding that as things ease, the rhythm of my life feels different. This makes sense as nothing remains the same, we are not static. Rhythms change and fluctuate. Figuring out the new rhythm of my life is much harder than I though it would be. With extra days off here and there I am feeling less productive which is causing me to also feel out of sync. I would think that more time off would mean greater productivity and yet I'm finding it hard to regroup. I'm not really sure how to make the shift and adjust to my new reality.

Part of the issue is there are still many loose ends and unknowns needing to be addressed. I've also been in hyper overdrive for so long and don't quite know how to operate at a lower speed. So, I am just taking it one day at a time right now and drawing from past routines and positive habits to find my new rhythm. This will be a good learning curve and provide beneficial personal growth once I figure things out.

I am at a point in my training this year where I am working towards earning my blackbelt. And I think that what I am feeling with this current transition will help me in my transition from second degree brown belt to black belt. I can only imagine that being a new black belt comes with its own challenges that will bring with it the need to find a new rhythm.

Black belt preparation starts as a white belt and continues throughout the belt levels. When I first earned my second degree brown belt there was a part of me that wasn't really sure I was ready. The thought was brief though because I trust and respect my instructors and myself. For me that was one of the first mental shifts. The next was realizing there would be no more stripes on my belt to indicate where I was and how I was doing. It is now up to me to provide feedback, to trust myself and to ask questions of my instructors and mentors. 

Second degree brown belt is where all of our existing training, knowledge and skill converges. It is where our physical and mental capabilities and perspectives are stretched to the limits and beyond. This will be a year of challenges and excitement. I am already feeling the excitement, the apprehension and the joy of all that the year has unfolded so far and holds for me in the future.