It may seem difficult at first, but everything is difficult at first

The Pen and Sword Journal - Vol 40

Do you remember those times when you set out to accomplish something, only to feel overwhelmed by the multitude of steps required to nail it down?

Furthermore, did the sheer volume of information you had to digest make the goal or task ahead seem very hard to accomplish?

Well, I bet if you tried something new, you have experienced this IMPRESSION and FEELING. That’s right, it’s an impression in your mind, which in a split-second, like a domino effect, converts into a kind of feeling of frustration.

Take a moment to recollect a situation where you felt this way. What were your initial thoughts, and what emotions did you experience at that moment? More importantly, what did you decide to do after feeling this way?

In the meantime, I'll share with you something that happened last week, which got me thinking about this and other times when I've felt the same way. I borrowed a drone from a friend to practice using it for upcoming videos and a documentary project I'm planning in the future.

After receiving a theoretical explanation from my friend and reviewing the user manual, I suddenly felt overwhelmed by the amount of information. This created an impression in my mind that the task ahead would be challenging. As a result, I began to feel slightly frustrated, which countered my initial enthusiasm.

And then, suddenly, in an intuitive form from my unconscious mind, came verses I had read from Miyamoto Musashi's Book of Five Rings: "It may seem difficult at first, but everything is difficult at first."

It never ceases to amaze me that, when our desire and commitment are strong enough, sometimes unknown forces flow from our unconscious to our conscious mind, like a supportive ally or a guiding guardian.

After chuckling to myself about what had just happened, I internally resolved, "Alright, enough of this frustration. I'm going to go through the manual twice more, and then it's time to practice." Once I finished studying the manual, I broke down my seemingly overwhelming task into smaller, manageable steps.

Step 1: Master the calibration process and practice lifting off from the ground.

Step 2: Practice maneuvering the drone within a short distance.

Step 3: Experiment with the camera settings, capturing photos and videos.

Step 4: Extend your flying range, capturing more photos and videos along the way.

The outcome? It turned out to be much simpler than the manual suggested, and it was an enjoyable experience. I had a blast, feeling like a delighted child unwrapping a Christmas gift.

Once again, history repeated itself once more for me, and for sure, this does not even come near to the toughest struggles I have endured in my life until this point. But, I remember going through similar experiences when I learned to ride a bike during my childhood, went on my first date as a teenager, had my first amateur kickboxing fight, started practicing the forms my sensei taught me with my Iaito, learned to drive, and the list goes on.

Yet, even though we overcome these situations, it's intriguing how certain limiting psychological patterns resurface repeatedly within us. Sometimes, they emerge in seemingly minor situations, such as my attempt to learn how to operate a drone. In moments like this, if we aren't mindful of what's unfolding within us, there's a danger of giving up and missing out on a potentially enriching experience in our lives.

My thoughts on why these situations recur to us

After experiencing similar situations throughout the years, reflecting on them, and studying the human psyche, I am convinced that there's an instinct within us for self-preservation. It kicks in automatically when we're doing something:

1.     We haven't attempted previously.

2.     Requires us to engage our brains and confront emotional obstacles, both internal and external.

In such instances, this instinct of self-preservation functions akin to a program aimed at keeping us within our comfort zone, discouraging us from exerting additional energy. Alternatively, one could liken it to an emotional and mental aspect of our psyche that resists change. It doesn't possess the capability to process abstract or logical thinking; it's simply an instinct with one objective: self-preservation. The tricky aspect is that it's quite cunning; if we're not aware of what's happening, it can manipulate our thoughts to make us believe that giving up is our own decision. But in reality, it's not…

The warrior sees through this automatic response

When a warrior's spirit is awakened, they remain conscious of their inner workings and dispel such self-imposed illusions by taking action, regardless of their initial impressions or the way they feel. Whether it's in small instances like the one I shared today or in more significant events, taking action eradicates confusion. It's not about the magnitude of the situation, but rather about cultivating the habit of recognizing and overcoming these automatic reactions within ourselves. Our mind, driven by our will, is our most powerful weapon.

Our mind, influenced by our self-preservation instinct, often persuades us that the task ahead is daunting. However, by taking action, we demonstrate that it's only half correct. Indeed, the task may be challenging, but it's mistaken in assuming it will remain difficult once we start.

Reminding ourselves of this constantly makes a great difference.

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