Tennis has been my exercise for a long time. I make time for it whenever I can and have played for over 20 years. I love it so much that I work really hard at it and try to learn and improve every which way I can. But the fact remains that I have not improved very much despite all my efforts. Coaching, just rallying and trying to relax -- none of them make a difference and every third day, I think of giving up because it becomes very frustrating.
Paradoxically, when I let go and allow the game to be what it is and stop trying to improve it, enjoy it for its own sake, something shifts. My game is at a higher level and balls fly and it does not take any effort. But when I "try" to relax, it only becomes worse. it is like allowing life to occur instead of giving a direction and intentionality to it. When I just experience it without any agenda, it moves beautifully in the direction of my deeper intent without any effort.
Of course, I appreciate it, understand this and when I consciously make it into a formula, it goes away.
Of course the rhythm of the game is like the rhythm of life as it is said in the movie Legend of Bagger Vance.
On May 22, 2011 PK wrote :
Tennis has been my exercise for a long time. I make time for it whenever I can and have played for over 20 years. I love it so much that I work really hard at it and try to learn and improve every which way I can. But the fact remains that I have not improved very much despite all my efforts. Coaching, just rallying and trying to relax -- none of them make a difference and every third day, I think of giving up because it becomes very frustrating.
Paradoxically, when I let go and allow the game to be what it is and stop trying to improve it, enjoy it for its own sake, something shifts. My game is at a higher level and balls fly and it does not take any effort. But when I "try" to relax, it only becomes worse. it is like allowing life to occur instead of giving a direction and intentionality to it. When I just experience it without any agenda, it moves beautifully in the direction of my deeper intent without any effort.
Of course, I appreciate it, understand this and when I consciously make it into a formula, it goes away.
Of course the rhythm of the game is like the rhythm of life as it is said in the movie Legend of Bagger Vance.