MISOGI

Good evening everyone. I want to write about a concept that I read about a couple of days ago that really made an impression on me. The article can be found on Grantland, an ESPN affiliated website that covers interesting stories in sports. In the article it explains how Kyle Korver the sharp shooter for the Atlanta Hawks recently set the NBA record for most consecutive games with a made three pointer at 90 games in a row, and still counting to my knowledge. Kyle in the past offseason was approached with MISOGI which is explained in the article as followed, ” As we get older we take fewer risks, think more inside the box, get more careful, make more decisions based on fear.” Now in order to combat this, we should do something once a year that you are not sure you can do. Now I encourage you to do something big, I am not talking about a 5K but something like a week long trek in the Appalachians or sky diving. Kyle accepted his trainers challenge and paddle boarded from the Channel Island to Santa Barbara, just for perspective that is 25 miles across open water. 

As Kyle explains his experience he talks about how there were no trees, mile markers, or corners it was just him and his Paddle Board ” Big Easy” and his two buddies. He talks about how he had to break it down smaller into just the stroke and the paddle and the exact angle of his wrist. How his stroke made the board go forward and then nine hours later he is on the beach. Kyle ached for two weeks after; however, he now pays more attention to his mechanics, his follow through, and the details of his shot. The MISOGI helped Kyle achieve an NBA record. 

Now as I look at this example, I too want to try the MISOGI for myself. I encourage all who reads this to give it a shot. I am afraid that we all become to complacent in our lives, to caught up in the day to day life that we forget to live. We live in a big beautiful world, why should we just experience such a small part of it? There is so much to see and experience, what is holding us back? I implore you to figure out what is holding you back and get outside the box. 

I am going to challenge myself to get out of my comfort zone and experience what this world has to offer. I want to think outside the box to achieve this dream of mine. That may mean living a different lifestyle than most. It may mean running my own business to accomplish it. I may have to work extremely hard the next 20 years to retire earlier to be able to finance this dream, but I think it will be worth it. 

I want to do two MISOGI’s this coming year. One a thrill adventure, the second a personal endurance test. My thrill adventure will be one of two things; either skydiving or bungee jumping. As for my endurance challenge I am thinking a biking trip to the coast or climbing to the top of Mount Mitchell. 

I challenge each of you to get up and get out of your box. I am open to suggestions for other MISOGI adventures leave your suggestions in the comments.