Now, I like babies as much as the next guy, but posing
like one is something else entirely. The "happy baby" pose
requires you to lie on your back, bring your knees to your
chest, and "hug" them with your arms. In yoga, this is a
resting position where you can just take a moment to re-
coup, love yourself, and relax.

Relax my ass! All this pose did was remind me of my big
gut. You see, I couldn't reach my knees because my stom-
ach was in the way!

So there I lay amidst lithe, long-legged, slender, beautiful,
cat-like "beginners" just like me. Yeah, right. Instead of
feeling at peace, comfortable, rested, and loving, I felt like
a grunt. At least I wasn't curled up in a ball like the guy in
the car dealership!

Feeling frustrated, I wanted to give up, sneak out the back
door, and head for Burgerville. Rather, I challenged my-
self to "lean in" and stay with it, as out of place as I felt.
In an effort to go easy on myself and not take myself too
seriously, I yelled out, "I can't reach my knees . . . my
belly's in the way!"

My fellow yogi's burst into laughter—warm, caring "I
know what you're going through" laughter. My stress and
shame immediately dissipated.

And I'd swear that my knees got closer to my chest!

Growing from grunt to greatness requires you to push
yourself to do new things while addressing your issues.
That's the challenge.

When you shine a light on these areas and begin to ad-
dress them, you uncover just how far you let things go.
They were hidden to some extent when you ignored the
problems. So, it's uncomfortable at first, and you may feel
like you're taking a step back.

But even though it feels this way, you aren't going back-
ward. You have a big belly whether you address it or not.
You are in debt whether you pay attention to it or not.
You are a mediocre mom or dad whether you know it or
not. So, addressing the problem isn't taking a step back.

Ignorance is not bliss. In fact, it plainly represents a lack of
self-respect and to not take action is being a grunt.

I challenge you to address your issues. Have fun with the pro-
cess. Don't regard it as the end of the world. You're simply
taking your first step toward greatness.

Wake up! And endeavor to pursue your greatness.