Manual

For those that don’t know, vehicles don’t just come in automatic transmission. There exists manual transmission, which is the type where you decide when there is a shifting up or down in performance based on the required terrain. I find that manual transmission like fitness gives you control of your performance.

When I was being taught to drive a manual transmission by my father it was a very intimidating and daunting task. He would take me to the steep streets of Manhattan Beach, park in the middle, pull the e-break and say start here. Rolling back at high speeds was a real concern. Then after a week of practice it was like playing a real life video game. The car no longer told me what it could do; I would control it. This creates a symbiotic flow between you and the vehicle. Such a connection had allowed me to be more aware and tuned into the goings on around me. Staying conscious and present has prevented a few accidents in my years of driving. Defensive driving is what my mother calls it. 

This has similar parallels to the human body. Some argue that the mind and consciousness is housed in a meat vehicle called the body. This may be a concept outside the box, but there are truths within this idea. You are the operator of a human body and it requires presence and connection. Just like a car if you wake up and immediately take off sprinting right out of bed I promise you will injure yourself. A vehicle will be sluggish at the start of ignition. 

Treating your body as a high performance vehicle makes sense once applied. The difference is, being that this vehicle is biological it is vastly more complex and has far more to give. You can exist on no sleep and still persist to push on. Don’t believe me? Listen to anything by David Goggins. 

I personally enjoy the refreshing rush that comes from finding more in my biological gas tank. That you can always find a new level if it is indeed important.
I have taken up a habit of running and realize that if I want to I can encourage myself to go up a gear even if my governor is saying stop or risk injury.  
I am thrilled when I can go to new levels within myself. It bolsters a sense of accomplishment that no one can disprove. It’s solid proof that there is power within you. 

Try this out….
Wake up tomorrow and don’t even pick up your phone.

Do this instead:
Wake Up
Brush Teeth
Drink Large Glass of Water (Slowly & Enjoy)
Put on Music (Headphones to respect others around you.)
Get your body loose and Stretch.
Then make decisions.

For me I have to burn through the tired thoughts, stiff muscles and sore appendages so that I’m not making decisions from a place of weakness, but strength. 

Make your own routine that makes you feel alive and I bet your days will be better.

For a rougher approach check out my other post…
Killing the Inner B@tch