You're Nobody Until Somebody Hits You

I forgot how fun sparring was.

I remember the first time I did it, how nervous I was. I hadn’t been in many fights in my life; in fact, not any at all sans the few times I was hit in the face. I think it’s only a fight if you actually hit back. I’ll have to get back to you on that one.

The first time I sparred was like the first time I performed stand up comedy or the first time I bungee jumped – I was terrified and that’s why I did it.

What a feeling – to face your fear and come out on the other end.

So cut to a year or so later, and sparring is the most natural thing in the world. Now, granted, I hadn’t done it in a while and I sucked (read: got hit in the face a lot). But I wasn’t nervous, I had the headspace to think about what I was doing and I tried out different movements and tactics. That’s the thing about becoming comfortable with something, time sort of just slows down and you’re able to see everything clearly.

Maybe there’s a good lesson in there somewhere – something to the extent of: if you do something for the first time and you’re nervous and shaky and unsure, just know that the more you do it, the more you’ll be able to fully understand all its moving parts. Now, I didn’t say the better you’ll get at it or the easier it will be. But simply that it will reveal itself to you more…

So, you know, get in a fight, now. It’s just good life practice!