Aha Moment Monday
When I skated with the Ice Follies, we trained, rehearsed, or performed about 50 weeks of the year. We did have a break during Christmas at which time in my first year I flew to Germany to visit my family who was residing there for a short period.
Naturally, I had my skates with me and one day we went onto an open pond with some extended family members.
I love skating outdoors and was in heaven stretching out on this enormous “rink” eventually performing some interpretive moves and spins.
My uncle watched me for a bit then asked how I was able to change speeds in my spin. I demonstrated that I could spin at a consistent speed for a number of rotations then if I extended my arms and free leg, I could slow myself down. Conversely, if I brought them tight to my body I could speed up my rotation. I had learned how to monkey with inertia.
Inertia is “A property of matter by which it continues in its existing state of rest or uniform motion in a straight line unless that state is changed by an external force.” In order to change the “uniform motion” of my spins, I needed to do something differently.
I’m sure someone could figure out the scientific formula to accurately predict the result of my arms-out-arms-in action, but in essence, “…the moment of inertia of a rigid body is a tensor that determines the torque needed for a desired angular acceleration about a rotational axis”.
You get up in the morning, put on the coffee, brush your teeth, shower, pack a quick lunch, sit in traffic, react to an overwhelming number of demands at work only to get home later than planned with a long to-do list, to eventually watch a bit of mindless TV to mentally escape from the day, read a few chapters of your favourite book then crash. The next day and the next day and the next day and the next day look pretty similar until the weeks run into months of business-as-usual. Inertia.
You know change is inevitable. The question is, are you leaving yourself dangerously exposed to falling victim to unwanted change by being in a habitual groove of same-old, same old?
Or are you your own change agent?
Aha! ~ Make change a habit
The “external force” that causes a change in “rest or uniform motion” is most inspiring when it originates internally.
By changing things up voluntarily you’re keeping yourself alert, nimble, and armed to handle the changes that come unexpectedly.
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” ~ Maya Angelou.
Either way, you’re in control.
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