Sumo Wrestling

 

“Judging is giving too much value on the surface and missing the value beneath.” ~ Dee Dee Artner

Last weekend, I spent some time at a function with my niece. We happened to be scrolling on the host’s TV and my niece chose a documentary about some Sumo Wrestlers. After having to answer some questions about why such obese men were fighting near naked, she got distracted and left me scrambling to find something less question provoking to watch.

However, sumo wrestlers remained on my mind. It is easy to watch them and get disgusted at their hanging tummies, man boobs, or the relatively tiny loin cloth between them and their dignity on the ring. But, do you know the life of a sumo wrestler?

They usually start young, joining a community of other aspiring wrestlers. A day in their life begins at 5 am with leg stomping exercises. This teaches them how to maximize their balance and core strength to overcome opponents. Flexibility is also important so stretching exercises are also part of the training. Some of their training is repetitive until it becomes second nature. Hours spent perfecting a leg movement or a pushing exercise.

Aside from exercise, their diet is an important aspect of their training too. They eat a high-protein, high-starch, high-calorie diet, consumed twice daily, to keep their metabolism low. They also take long naps after meals, to help them achieve a bigger physical appearance.

You may be at a point where thinking about food instantly adds a kilo on the scale, but don’t ever think you’re on the same team as a sumo wrestler. They work for every kilo they have and you may never live half the disciplined life they live. Nothing about their strength, size, or agility comes by accident.   

Whom have you been judging flippantly and giving yourself a pat on the back because you think you’re better off than them? Repent! No one’s path follows the same trajectory as the other. My struggles may never come to you because the strengths I am building will never benefit you. If you’re going to look at the grass over the fence, then walk there and ask for their water bill so you have a complete picture.

The better way to live is to ask yourself where you are going and how you want to get there. Then pick up your tools and get busy cutting your path, one step at a time. Does your destination involve a six-pack? Are you doing push-ups? Does your there involve letters after your name? Have you signed up for that course? Are you studying for that exam? Do you want to grow old surrounded by your loving family? Are you spending time with them, knowing them, and making memories together?

Our ‘there and then’s are many and varied. But no one of us is going to be teleported there. We all have to work our way there, one discipline at a time. Focus on those things you need to be doing and let others and their dramas be.

“We live our lives supposing things are as they appear to be when that is almost never the case.” ~ Richelle E. Goodrich