I’ve just finished my 16th annual period of Fasting. 19 days in length, a time for spiritual reflection and rejuvenation, for
refocusing my energies, and a time where i push myself to excel in ways i wouldn’t normally stretch. This is where i recall the year that’s been, break a barrier or two, and am renewed….ready for the year ahead.
This time last year i was struggling to get through the Fast, having lost my family home and spent several days not sleeping, collecting water from burst wells in the street, and washing myself clean out at the airport once in 5 days because that was the only place a hot shower could be found, and my dad had work access to it. That was the hardest Fast of my life. Usually i look forward to this time and i feel restored by the end of it…but last year, i just felt exhausted.
2011 was a tough time, for sure, but it was a time of really figuring out what i was made of. Resilience is an interesting thing; when you think you cannot go any further, cannot stretch your brain or your body or your will anymore, resilience steps in and you find yourself doing things you previously thought impossible. 2012, on the other hand, is a time for rebuilding, reforming solid foundations and stepping up. No more weakness, no more frailties, no more wallowing in anything other than utter joy at the amazing bounty of having lived through and overcome what will be one of the world’s great historic tragedies, and of having survived to tell the tale.
This Fast, i was determined to be invincible. I rose early, some days earlier than i needed to, to nourish my spirit and to enjoy a breakfast that would fuel my body enough to push it to the extreme during the day. As a trainer, people often ask me if they should alter their workouts or forget fitness during the time of fasting so that they don’t harm themselves. The way i see it, if you are waiting for a time to push yourself ever in your life, this is the time to do it. Be responsible, be sensible, make good decisions, and don’t neglect what your body is telling you, and then stretch. I’ll say that again. S t r e t c h.
I upped my fitness regime from 3 hours of high intensity training a week to a little over 9 hours a week. I would rise early enough to drink one-two litres of water and eat a high protein meal followed by a low GI meal of slow-releasing carbohydrates. Then i would crack on with my awesome day.
I never got hungry, i never got thirsty.
I was always alert, always productive and all of a sudden i had time on my hands – that elusive entity that we all seek, ahhhh time. To have more of it is easy – just get up earlier and focus your energies on opportunities and avenues for growth. Productivity seems to naturally increase when you are working on improving yourself.
But why would i use this time to improve myself? Because that is how i improve others. How can i hope to assist someone else’s growth if i am not concerned about my own? How can i expect to expand without work and struggle? Like the germ of the seed breaking through, this year is my time to go forward, to press onward.
Last weekend i went and did something i never thought i would do – i entered a duathlon with a friend. I’ve never really been one to participate in races or high level competition, despite enjoying the drive that comes from competing (even if only against myself). During this race however, i was more concerned with the stunning surroundings of mountains, lakes, rivers and cloudless blue skies than the actual time on the clock. The 20km mountain bike track was treacherous; crossing several rivers on foot, with my bike, then pushing it up a steep incline for at least 2 kilometres in the intense midday sun, and finally making the decent back to the transition area where my teammate was waiting. I have bruises that i don’t remember getting and muscular aches that serve only as a reminder of the brutal hill climbs that never seemed to end. And yet, the victory of coming first place in our category – a complete surprise by the way – was just the cherry on top of a day that was filled with joyous success – we aimed to complete it within a set period of time and we did; the day was gorgeous and the surrounding views were breathtaking; and that final win just made it all the more sweet.
And so, to reflect on the end of the Fast, the beginning of a new spiritual year (as Bahá’ís will be celebrating their new year or “Naw-Rúz” tomorrow, on the 21st) and a plunge into the current year of growth, i can say only one thing: that i am grateful. I am truly grateful for the ability to do all of these things and so many more that i haven’t the occasion to share with you all. I am grateful for all of you out there – for your friendship and for your prayers and for your assistance and for your feedback and for your kindness and for your laughter and for the sharing of your own struggles and successes, for your support and for your encouragement, for your compliments and for your criticisms. My intention this year is to grow, grow, grow, and i know that you are all helping me to do that, even if you don’t know it yet.
I am so excited
i hope that your 2012 is equally as epic – and if it isn’t shaping up that way yet, change your intention and just watch…it will.