From Grunt to Greatness

When Your Belly Gets in the Way
Soaking wet, dripping with sweat, I could actually wring out my shirt like it had come out of the swimming pool. Thirty minutes into my fourth-ever yoga class, the moment I had been fretting about was here again—the dreaded "happy baby" pose.

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.