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How to Tame Your Frustration So You Can Who You Really Want to Be
After school, Kirstie joined an athletics club. She tried sprinting, javelin and hurdling, but never won an event. A coach suggested longer races, but she was too impatient. She took up long jumping, and when that didn’t satisfy her lust for victory, she turned to pole vaulting.
The desire for victory finally made her eat humble pie and ask the long-distance coach if she could join his squad. He said, “Yes, provided you promise to adhere to this special Kerstie mantra, ‘slow down to go faster’. From now on your life will be about conserving your energy wisely so you last the distance.”
Slowing down was hell for ‘speedy Kerstie,’ but she gritted her teeth and paced her effort. Six months into her new training regime she started her first cross-country race on a cold February day; she aced it. Afterwards, as she bent down in the shower to wash mud from her legs she was overcome by a feeling of humility. It felt alien. She had expected the elation and excitement that had overtaken her as she’d breasted the winner’s tape to continue. But this new emotion was so intense that it froze her in her crouched position. It took a physical effort to straighten up. As the water cascaded down her body she became aware of a change within her being.
