Eyes Wide Open

by | Feb 15, 2016 | Blog | 0 comments

 

IMG_1906This afternoon I was preparing to chop kindling for this week. I had the axe ready in my right hand and the 8” x 4” x 17″ piece of knot-free firewood carefully balanced on the chopping block.  “This one will be easy”, I thought. 

The goal:  Swing hard enough to break the piece of wood into two smaller and then 4 smaller pieces so I could easily chop the pieces into kindling for my fires.  Swinging an axe to split a larger piece of wood takes more precision and technique than it sometimes does with a heavier splitting maul.

The technique: Grasp the axe handle with both hands, right above left, raising it above my right shoulder.  Eye on the mark. Deep breath and swing with determination with an exhale and eyes wide open. 

Swing #1:  Deep breath.  Axe on the ready. Swing with determination….  Contact!  However, the axe didn’t even stick! Darn. I had held my breath. 

Swing #2.  I grasped the handle with both hands, right above left and raised the axe above my right shoulder.  Eye on the mark.  Deep breath, swinging with determination and pushing my breath and energy out with focus.  The axe head glances off the wood.  I had closed my eyes in mid-swing.  What?  I know better than this! 

This experience got me thinking about how we approach what we want to achieve or do or feel; about those things we want change.  Things we may have even made a vow to do or not do at the New Year. 

Have you ever experienced setting out to work on a goal or intention but put obstacles in your own way?  Held back?  Held your breath? Closed your eyes and hoped it would work out?  I can relate. If I set out to achieve something, say chop that kindling, and don’t have a clear focus, I hold back. I hold my breath and there is no energy behind my swing.  If I set out to chop that kindling and have the breath and the energy behind it but I close my eyes, I will likely miss.

Swing #3: Hands in place, axe ready, breath in, clear focus on the mark.  I swing as my breath and energy push out with intention and eyes are wide open.  Success!  Goal achieved with clear focus, energy, action and eyes wide open!

Which of your goals are you hitting dead on?  On which might you be holding your breath or closing your eyes? 

Even if you haven’t set goals or intentions, I would love to hear from you.  How do you move forward toward what you want small or large?

With eyes wide open.

Brenda