Warrior Pose — growing into your potential.

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I had the opportunity to catch up with friends in Costa Rica for a week, and somewhere in the many conversations between falling off surf boards, I heard something I’d never heard before, and I really, really, liked it.

I don’t remember the context, but it started off something like this —

“When is the best time to plant a tree?”

“I don’t know.”

“The best time to plant a tree is 100 years ago. The second-best time to plant a tree is now.”

I should mention this is going to get very figurative and definitely meander, so for you literal types in the crowd, don’t get frustrated — stick with it… no, really… it will be worth it — well maybe.

When we think of a tree, what usually comes to mind is something majestic and green, with a towering canopy that offers a cool retreat from the heat of a summer’s day; it’s the result of a sapling that took root many years ago. It’s only time, and the ability (and luck) to grow year after year until it reaches its full potential. Oh, and before I get ahead of myself, I should mention you are the tree, and since you can’t go back in time, you need to plant that sampling now and grow into your potential.

So, get started. Start growing and be the beautiful tree you are destined to be.

Oh, I forgot to mention this — it’s just a small thing; growth is difficult. You will face challenges — drought, high winds, the odd lightning strike, bugs; the list goes on. All conspiring against you; preventing you from taking root and thriving. You need to work through these difficulties, and believe me, over 100 years you will be faced with many, all attempting to stand in the way of your growth.

Enter MIYAMOTO MUSASHI. Possibly (or probably) a non sequitur, but I’m going to force it and see if I can make it work.

While in Costa Rica, between falling off my surfboard and talking about trees and human potential (and of course other things), I found myself doing a bit of yoga and coincidently, in my Instagram feed, saw this meme.

It may seem difficult at first but everything is difficult at first — MIYAMOTO MUSASHI*

Surfing — difficult; Yoga poses — difficult; mixing three currency exchange rates when paying for dinner — difficult; starting your first promotion — difficult; passing the bar — difficult; starting a company — difficult; Growing to your potential — difficult.

Simply put, if you are not finding it difficult at first, you are simply not growing and your sapling will surly wither, or worst still, it may never get planted in the first place.

Thanks for sticking with it.

iamgpe

*Miyamoto Musashi, also known as Shinmen Takezō, Miyamoto Bennosuke or, by his Buddhist name, Niten Dōraku, was a Japanese swordsman, philosopher, strategist, writer and rōnin, who became renowned through stories of his unique double-bladed swordsmanship and undefeated record in his 61 duels. The source is the Internet so I can’t guarantee he said this, but it’s still a valid perspective