Redefining strength
“Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go.” - Herman Hesse
At my Alexander Technique class’ Christmas weekend, we watched a documentary, When the moment sings, that makes the point that the use of rhythm in the culture from Cameroon is not just celebratory and joyous but actually necessary for life and survival.
Some of the footage was striking, showing the women from this culture carrying up to 40kg on their heads. All the while walking effortlessly, arms swinging side to side, wearing slippers, conversing with friends, some even dancing and joking with the camera.
When I compare these images with the vein popping, concentrated, serious faces of some of the people I see lifting weights at my local gym, it makes me wonder, are we going about this all wrong?
In Western culture I perceive an underlying message that I need to be more to achieve more. So in order to lift heavier weights I need to work out more to build more muscles at whatever cost. So much effort, so many injuries. I am describing going to the gym, but the same idea applies to my violin playing over the years, and my violin weighs considerably less!
This documentary made me reflect, once again, on what strength is. Why is so much value placed on the effort it takes to achieve something? If it was effortless, would it be less meaningful? These women certainly don't get prizes or praise for doing what in other cultures might seem like the impossible. But maybe they don't need it. Carrying out these activities with joy and ease seems like prize enough to me.
What FM Alexander (re)discovered for the Western world is something that was perhaps never lost in other cultures - if we let go of what is disturbing our innate nature, we are everything we need.
It seems so simple and could be so simple, and yet I know I will spend my lifetime returning to this discovery from moment to moment, as if it was for the first time.
Journaling prompts: In what areas of my life do I feel I am making an effort? What would happen if I was to do less? How would it affect how I see myself or how I believe others may see me?
