I’ve been blessed to have many wonderful coaches in my life so when I was asked to contribute to Coach Daddy’s the “A Coach’s Lesson” installment of his 6 Word series, I felt as though my options were limitless.
I made myself think of the most striking coach-related memory in my possession, and immediately re-created the image of my pony-tailed instrument and voice coach. He was strict, but effective– and transformed my relationship with the musicality of my own sound.
Early in my training with him, he asked me to hold a note for longer than I was able. I explained that I just couldn’t do it– that I was maxed out.
He told me to take the deepest breath I could and hold it.
I did as he asked, waiting for his cue to exhale– but instead he instructed me to take yet another breath, without exhaling.
It seemed like a completely nonsensical order.
I had already taken the deepest breath I could.
Still, I did as he asked, and to my surprise– my lungs expanded to hold even more air.
This whole practice was about lung capacity and airflow, but it was also about mental limits and internal strength.
It occurred to me that all my coaches, through various methods, strived to show me how truly powerful I am when I choose to reach for the strength inside me– reinforcing what I learned that day.
Even now, a decade later, when faced with something that seems like too much– including the anxiety-ridden thoughts of my own mind– I take a deepest breath I can take. And then I take another one.
My strength is infinite.
_______________________________
To read my specific 6-word stories, and the others, check out the post! It’s funny, inspirational, and wonderful! Add your own thoughts in the comments, too! http://coachdaddyblog.wordpress.com/2013/09/18/a-coachs-lesson-in-6-words/
