Image by hmmlargeart via Flickr
Written by Karen D. Swim
Jab, jab, block, jab, jab, hook. The young boy danced and punched away at his shadow. Seeing his imaginary opponent, anticipating moves, block, punch, punch, hook. His father stood quietly in the background, watching him fighting his shadow, preparing for the real thing. The boy had gotten stronger, more assured. Each punch seemed to land an imaginary knock-out. Punch, punch, hook, punch, block. Sweat poured from the boyβs brow as he dipped, blocked and punched at his shadow. The boy was focused, his shadow was his sparring partner as he readied for the real battle ahead. Punch, punch, jab, hook.
We should all shadow box. Each of us has an opponent to overcome, a battle to win in every area of life. We cannot always practice in the ring but we can prepare for battle by shadow boxing. We can practice our moves, anticipate return punches, quicken our steps and grow stronger and more confident. The practice, though imaginary readies us for battle, prepares us to win.
Sometimes the shadowy opponent represents our own inner selves. We punch away at fear. We take a jab at doubt. Punch, punch, jab, jab until we stand the victor, dominating the ring. Or as Sonia Simone wrote last month, we punch to practice. We train our minds, bodies, and craft to do battle and win.
Whether your battle is a big sales call, marketing your business, a presentation, job interview or starting a weight loss plan, punch away at your shadowy opponent. Anticipate when they will move left, or right. Imagine the obstacles and punch through them. Feel the weight as you tire and keep punching anyway. Punch, punch, jab, hook. It worked for the boy, it can work for you too.
How do you prepare for the “battles” of your life?Β Do you practice or wing it? Your comments are welcomed here, so join the fun! π
Sandra R says
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog. π Cheers! Sandra. R.
Karen Swim says
Truby, I am cheering you on from the other side of the ropes! Trials are never fun but we can punch our way through it. If you need help, I’m here for you.
Truby says
Punch, punch, jab, jab, hook!
What a great analogy. I sure do need to jab away at some of these
trials that I am going thru these days. I am presently going thru some rough waters right now. However, after reading this small article, I am inspired today to fight back instead of continually getting punched. As you so beautifully stated, if it worked for the boy, it can work for me. Thank you so much Karen.
Friar says
To complete the analogy for boxing to Battle of Real Life:
Find your problem (that’s your opponent).
And keep HITTING IT. Over and over. Preferably in the head.
….until it sustains enough trauma to the brain, that it loses conciousness.
(Yes, go for the TKO, I always say) π
Friars last blog post..Dear Solar System
Karen Swim says
You all make my day with your comments here and in other places. Giant hugs to all of you dear sweet people who make time in your day for me. I’m humbled.
@Wendi, can you thump me on the head once in a while to remind me. LOL! Yes, it is best but not always easy. π
@Brad, worst case planning is awesome as you said you’re prepared and hey when preparation meets opportunity magic happens! π
@Rebecca, oooh I like that ready to improv! Now that is rocking advice because stuff never goes as planned, not in my world anyway! LOL!
@Robert, my big confession I am quick on my feet and that’s a problem. When you’re comfortable like that it’s easy to slack off on the preparation. Your way is much smarter. I work on this about myself and sometimes I am successful. Sometimes. π
@E, yay, novel!! I’m doing NaNoWriMo this month or I will never actually get these words out of my head and onto paper. The shadows have spoken. π I’m having a much better week this week but I need to be busy, you know because of needing to live and all. π
Ellen Wilson says
Oh weird weird weird. If I see the word shadow one more time!
I know this is a sign for me to finish this novel I’m working on. I’ll tell ya later…
Thanks for this Karen.
Shadow things can be strange. And sometimes they can be good things too, calling to us from the corners of our minds.
Hope your week is going alright. Mine is terribly busy.
Hang in there! E
Ellen Wilsons last blog post..Writersβ Block: Concrete or Myth?
Robert Hruzek says
Preparation (with a good brainstorming team to supplement my own feeble mind) is the key for me. I’m not that good on my feet, so I like to have as much information and background as possible before getting into the fray.
If successful, it’s kinda like getting into that “sweet spot”, you know? Things just sorta click along nicely. Like a ping-pong match, come to think of it: each player volleys back and forth, some quick, some slow, some heavily curved, some straight at ya! The best results are when NOBODY drops the ball and everyone comes away a winner!
Robert Hruzeks last blog post..Ever Been Stressed Out?
Rebecca Smith says
I definitely practice for battle, but I always leave myself open for some improv in case inspiration strikes mid-battle. Thanks for this, Karen. I feel all pumped up this morning! (And I sort of feel like picking a fight … π )
Rebecca Smiths last blog post..Quoth the writer, βNevermoreβ
Brad Shorr says
Hi Karen, I like the concept of worst case planning – hope for the best, prepare for the worst. It’s a very healthy practice. Before the big presentation, think of every possible negative the client could hit you with. What are you going to say? Chances are, you’ll never have to deliver your prepared response. But the feeling of being prepared makes you so much more confident going into battle. And, if you ever do get surprised with a roundhouse right, you’ll be ready with a sharp counter punch of your own!
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Trust Me
Wendi Kelly-Life's Little Inspirations says
I think consistency is best for me. I don’t always practice that, but it is what is best. Just keep at it- some every day. It’s when I get it in my head that I have to do it ALL NOW that I start to falter.
Wendi Kelly-Life’s Little Inspirationss last blog post..Cleaning Closets