Leap and the net will appear. –John Burroughs, American naturalist
Last week at trapeze class, I did not successfully complete a “mid-air transfer” i.e. when I let go of my trapeze, I wasn’t caught by the instructor hanging by his knees from the other trapeze.
But to put it more accurately, I didn’t let myself be caught.
See, the trick, when flying through the air, is to “present” your arms to the “catcher” and let him grab you by the wrists. Only once the “catcher” has you firmly by the wrists do you grab back.
But last week, as soon as the catcher was within my grasp, I tried desperately to grab ahold of him. And with me trying to grab him, he couldn’t catch me.
Trying to make the catch happen wasn’t my only mistake. In trapeze, your body goes where your eyes go. Instead of looking high towards the catcher, I stared straight down at the net. And so that is where I ended up.
This week, I worked on a new trick—the split—and with a little faith in Chris, the catcher, I was able to both look up at her and “present” my hands and wrists. And sure enough, when I looked up and let go of the idea that I had to make the catch happen, I felt her hands wrapped solidly around my wrists.
Trapeze Austin
Thanks for the lessons in faith and perseverance! As always, I am inspired by your courage.
you're a goddess with the greatest of ease. i'm in awe!