Remember the days of doing the “flex arm hang” in school for the Presidential Fitness Test? A few months ago, I decided I wanted to move beyond the “flex arm hang” so I set a goal that someday I would do a pull up all by myself. Pull-ups are fantastic for your entire upper body but particularly good for developing a nice back. And who doesn’t like a nice back.

For months, I have been working on that goal using the pull-up machine or using exercise bands for assistance. Last week some online friends were talking about how many pull-ups they could do or would like to do. I said I’d love to do just one but I was still a long way off.

Later that morning I was at the gym putting my bands on the pull-up bar when I thought to myself, “What the heck I might as well try them without the bands.” What’s the worst that could happen? I’d look like a lizard caught by the tail as I try to wiggle myself up? I stood on the box and grabbed the bar. I took a little jump ready to flail myself up when surprise my chin was above the bar with much less effort than expected. I did two more before freezing halfway up. But I had jumped into them. I decided to would try again from a hanging position. Up. Up. Two more. I rested and did two more for a total of 7, if you count the jump start ones. I couldn’t believe it. I was ecstatic. I started texting my friends. I felt like She-Ra Princess of Power.

I have been thinking about this for a week. I was sure I couldn’t do one pull-up by myself and I could, more than one. It makes me wonder how much potential we all have buried under self-doubt or fear.  I believe we are all capable of so much more than we think we are, if we would only try. What are some things you would like to do? Have you been putting something important to you off because you think you can’t?  Do you have an idea or a goal that feel impossible?  Give it a try and you really might surprise yourself.  What’s the worse thing that can happen?  You might fail. In most instances, you can respond with a “so what” and try again later after some more planning or practice or you might decide you want move onto something else.  Just don’t stop and stagnate in fear or self-doubt. Our Creator is much bigger than we can imagine and He gave us a lifetime to explore and tap into the potential He put in each of us.

xoxo
j