take each day as it comes also take it one day at a time
to deal with things as they happen, and not to make plans or to worry about the future I've lived through a lot of changesrecently, but I've learnt to take each day as it comes.
We've all heard of the phrase "take it one day at a time." It's a pretty simple idiom that helps remind us to take things as they come and not to be too focused on the future and causes us to forget what we are presently doing. The idiom is interesting because there is direct application to jiujitsu and training on the mat. At El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu we use the phrase "take it one inch at a time," to help remind ourselves of this idea.
Let's take a simple Jiu-Jitsu movement where there are multiple body parts moving with each other to complete the process.... How about the armbar. This is a relatively simple movement for most experienced Jiu-Jitsu players, but somewhat complicated for the newbie. The process can be taught with numbers, taking three to four distinct movements to complete the movement. This is one type of learning the inches. Other movements might be as simple as bridging somebody off while they have side control and getting your elbows back to your sides. 1) Bridge up into your partner. 2) Turn onto your shoulder. 3) Bring your elbow to your side as your body comes back to the mat. Both examples are very simple illustrations of moving and understanding the inches. In total you've moved about a foot, but you couldn't have done the movement without completing the inches. How successful you are at the end of the "foot" usually depends on how well you completed the inches.
The concept is simple. You body needs to understand the short one inch movements in order to process the one foot movements. This process can be very draining mentally and physically because it requires the participant to understand the details of each movement to process the entire move. At the same time this can be frustrating, boring, and even mundane. However, its important to remind ourselves that as a result of focusing and appreciating the inches with the goal of the foot in the background, we can find satisfaction and balance with the process and the final goal.Another benefit from focusing on the inches in order to learn the foot, is that problem solving becomes much easier. When you break a movement down to the inches, you will be able to understand when you begin to move in the wrong direction. Some movements are less forgiving, one inch in the wrong direction and you will be hard pressed to find success. However, taking things one inch at a time, you will be able to quickly change your movement at the correct position.
I love how the idea (concept) applies directly to striving a working towards a goal. So often we become too near sighted or too short sighted we lose track of one or the other. When we talk about living the jiujitsu lifestyle and taking the lessons and challenges from the mat, off the mat, this is exactly what I feel it embodies.
A very good story that helps picture this process can be seen in a chapter of the book "Alchemist," by Paulo Coelho. In the story a traveler reaches a castle where the traveler is sent to walk around the castle (I think) with a spoon filled with oil. The orders are to walk around the castle without letting a single drop of oil hit the ground.
The traveler takes a lap up and down the stairs, over and under the bridges, and through the long halls and wide gardens. He comes back and the King asks him, "You haven't spilled a single drop of oil. Well done! Now tell me, what did you see?" "Thank you king, but I didn't see much of anything," responds the traveler. So the king orders him to go back and this time, keep the oil in the spoon, but also lift his head and take a look around. So the traveler head out again with his spoon of oil. this time he is amazed at the height and tapestry around the stair. He sees the most beautiful view from the top of the bridge, and the most pristine water under. He is breathless at the magnificent paintings in the halls and the beautiful colors in the gardens. When returning to the king he barely has a single drop of oil left in the spoon. The King smiles. "In your first lap, you accomplished your goal but missed out on the most beautiful scenery of your life. In your second lap you witnessed the life changing scenery but failed to accomplish your mission."
The Jiu-Jitsu traveler quickly realized the importance of finding balance when taking things one inch at a time. Happy training everyone!
Eliot Kelly
916.595.4064
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