What we can do

“Lead, follow, or stay out of the way.”  – Ted Turner

“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” – John Wooden

The world has pressed “pause.” All sporting activities have ceased as we are reminded of its place in the grand scheme of things. The entire world is either holding its breath or taking a deep breath, unsure of how long this cessation of normalcy has stopped. It is against our very nature as social beings to be confined to quarters. We’ve traded sitting in traffic, doing nothing for sitting at home, doing nothing. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Filipinos generally have trouble keeping still. And seriously, this is one reason we overeat. We have to have something to do with our hands. We have to do something with our mouths when we’re not the ones talking. And we have to have something to be talking over: coffee, merienda, beer, finger foods. Anything. It seems so hard to keep still and stay that way. And now, you can only watch so much of Netflix before your butt gets sore. Even the staunchest couch potato feels it.

It’s fitting that sports take a backseat for now. Why? Sport was created as a substitute for war. Right now, we are in a real war, a literal fight for our lives. Now is the time to show all the values that we have learned personally or vicariously through watching our heroes play. How do we manifest our teamwork in this extreme situation? How do we show we are involved?

But first, let’s take care of ourselves. Let’s use the mandatory isolation to do some internal housework. It takes about a month to create new good habits, and that’s exactly what we’ve got. 

First, develop a routine. There are no excuses for going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. You’re not going anywhere. A consistent bed time and enough sleep are a godsend to many people. Let’s use the opportunity to strengthen the habit. The discipline helps provide stability, and keeps the mental chatter down. One day at a time, build a habit of being on time when you sleep, and on time when you greet the morning.

Exercise. You can spare at least 20 minutes a day exercising. Again, pick a time that works for you, but make sure you put in the time. Many current and retired athletes post their workouts on social media. Use that as an inspiration.If you don’t have space, skip rope, do calisthenics, take up exercises that use your body weight. There are many things at home that gave some heft that you can use for weights and resistance: water containers, books, pails, chairs, and so on. Change it up so you don’t get bored.

Learn something new. There is a bottomless well of knowledge online. There is certainly something that will catch your fancy. Throwing sports, dance, board games, strategy, technique, forms for all sports. Take it slow, learn one step, one move at a time. Learn self-defense, learn a craft, learn the best way to work up a sweat that you enjoy. As you learn, you get more confident, and you feel better about yourself. 

Strengthen your mind. Boredom can bring worry, uncertainty, stress. You have to keep your mind busy. Read, write. The mental exercise will do you good. Mindfully sitting still will do you good. Don’t let your mind stray. Visualize a perfect day, and the steps you want to take to reach that day. Your mind does not know the difference between imagination and reality. Use that to manifest the tools and strength to achieve what you want.

This time of quiet is a great chance to transform, redefine, reinvent yourself. Don’t let it slip by. This opportunity may not come again. Stay safe, be healthy, get stronger. Most of all, have faith. This, too, shall pass.