Much earlier in the year I gave myself a little challenge. That challenge was to be able to do a handstand. I tried and tried and gave up. But it did lead to project 100 press-ups, which was a success. We all have to do something to test ourselves, even if it is something stupid. If it helps with other things along the way, that’s even better. Doing something with instant feedback is even better. And there’s nothing more instant and urgent when a handstand attempt fails. 

I haven’t managed a handstand yet, but there are good reasons to work on it. So, let’s look at why:

1. It’s just something to to, that I know is possible if I really try. My shoulders need strengthening and generally, it can only be good for me.
2. I like walking around and feeling stronger. Thinking I can do a handstand!
3. The pain in my neck is getting better and better.
4. I don’t know anyone who can do one.
5. Who at my age thinks this is a good idea for them?
6. I have time and space to try it in private.
7. I have a technique and method, thanks to my Swiss (why Swiss? Who knows! Fact checking ruins the flow of a blog.) gym ball. 
8. You never know when you need a party trick.
9. Extreme yoga!

Off the top of my head all the above reasons seem about right. And today I managed a headstand! As I became more confident, I allowed the support the ball gave me to role away, and I was vertical. As far as I can recall, that’s the first time in my life and I will keep working on it until every attempt works. It’s good advice not to stop when you succeed, but when you never fail to succeed. Then the next step in the full handstand and my final goal on this task.

In the scheme of things, this might not seem so important. But work on yourself is always important. When I can do this, it might even appear to people as talent, but nothing could be further from the truth. With a bit of luck it might make me better at sport, without training in that sport. 

So do something. If that thing physically turns your world upside-down it might help when your world turns up-side down. All that it might do is make you a little stronger and make you smile inside when your doing your grocery shop. But that’s a mini superpower, and that’s something isn’t it?