"Pushing the envelope: To attempt to extend the current limits of performance. To innovate, or go beyond commonly accepted boundaries"
"This phrase came into general use following the publication Tom Wolfe's book about the space programme - The Right Stuff, 1979:
"One of the phrases that kept running through the conversation was ‘pushing the outside of the envelope’... [That] seemed to be the great challenge and satisfaction of flight test."
Wolfe didn't originate the term, although it's appropriate that he used it in a technical and engineering context, as it was first used in the field of mathematics..."
I am "pushing the envelope", but I am not talking Rocket Science or mathematics, but about pushing the envelope on my fears.
About a month back, I wrote about an incident I had on River that really shook my confidence and made me fearful. Over the past month, my trainer and I have been "pushing the envelope" on my fears, building on experiences that have allowed me to be more confident as a rider. Yesterday was a true breakthrough for me -- I was totally relaxed in the saddle on River. As a result, River and I had a most excellent lesson!
For those not into everything equine -- a horse can almost seem telepathic. If you are nervous, the horse detects it and figures there is something to be nervous about as well. Horses aren't telepathic, but excellent readers of body language, as any animal who is lower on the food chain needs to be to survive. The calmer you are, the more calm and responsive the horse is. So, being calm and relaxed is critical to riding a horse.
Even the most confident of us have fears -- fear of public speaking, fear of flying, fear of change. Some of these fears can truly hinder us in living the life we are meant to live, to experience all that life has to offer. To break through these fears, it doesn't require one monumental leap but many, many small leaps of faith that build upon each other, giving us the confidence to take that additional step in the direction we want to take. Sometimes there are back-steps along the way, but each effort makes us stronger, more resilient, more able to take on the next challenge.
What are you afraid of? What small steps can you take to break through that barrier of fear? River and my trainer are helping show me how.
What are you afraid of? What small steps can you take to break through that barrier of fear? River and my trainer are helping show me how.
