Everyone is a beginner sometime
I watched him fall 3 times. Then he started doing sit-ups. Here I was closer to a headstand that I never thought I would reach and there he was totally skipping the flow doing his own thing. In some ways, that is yoga in its essence. Everyone is exactly where they need to be.
It’s about what is on your mat it’s not a competition. But this was the moment (far too late), where I realized I wasn’t a beginner anymore. In most things I do I forever think I’m a beginner - even when all signs point elsewhere.
Another example. Strength class at a weightlifting gym. I was beyond intimidated, and watched the people around me choose heavy weights, do the move, and keep going with their day. I chose a weight, realized I am NOT as strong as I think, and then look around to figure out what to do.
It was my first time there.
Six months later, ok I still do ask the instructor for help - on literally everything - but I went up in weight, I smile encourage and greet people when they show up.
I couldn’t have gotten to a headstand without showing up for years. I can’t increase weight if you don’t start somewhere. The hardest part to learning anything is sitting in the beginning. Owning it.
Trying something new but hated it because you don’t know what’s going on? Go back again. This time you’ll know what you are walking into and have a different perspective. Most things need more than one chance to lock in. It might have been your mood, the teacher, the timing, the fact you were hungry. We jump out so quick, we sometimes miss what’s there.
Now, apply that to your professional life - not just your hobby.
When starting a new job, people can be so frustrated in week two because they aren’t executing yet. It’s their second week learning a new company, role, people, or even skillset and they think they should have it nailed. We don’t give ourselves the grace we need to learn. You are still a beginner.
We look around us and measure ourselves next to people who have been doing the thing for years sometimes, or that have practiced or studied, or just happen to have natural talent - only to feel less than because we can’t keep up.
Stay on your mat. Give the job, the hobby, the thing a second or third shot before you walk out. You couldn't have gotten to a headstand without showing up first.
