Hello,
Welcome.
My name is Lou Redmond and I so appreciate you taking the time to listen to what I have to share.
I am obsessed with this quote by tennis legend and activist Billie Jean King.
Pressure is a privilege.
I came across this one on the Netflix series Breakpoint.
The quote hangs on the wall of Arthur Ashe Stadium before players head on to the main court.
It acts as a reminder that the ability to play at that level is an honor.
We may not be professional tennis players,
But we all have the opportunity to walk into our metaphorical arena.
And in our quest,
Pressure is a privilege.
Our first inclination is to lessen pressure.
We don't like being uncomfortable.
Yet,
When we think about the times we feel pressure,
It's often because we have an opportunity.
Whether a presentation,
Project,
Or performance,
Pressure means we are putting ourselves out there for the change that we seek to make.
Pressure is synonymous with responsibility.
Like the responsibility one may feel after having their first child.
There's pressure to pay the bills and provide for their family.
What if we saw this as a privilege?
As the saying goes,
No pressure,
No diamonds.
We need friction in our lives to create the conditions required for growth.
The United States has a reputation for being overly focused on productivity.
Yet,
It's also a culture that attempts to manufacture comfort and convenience above all else.
As often,
When the pendulum swings too far,
It creates an opposing force.
We are seeing this happen where rest is becoming a self-care trend.
Don't get me wrong,
There are many positives about encouraging rest.
Yet,
We must be careful it doesn't swing too far.
I learned this concept of bedrotting.
It's kind of a TikTok trend,
So don't go on TikTok for these exact reasons.
But bedrotting is where you stay in bed all day doing whatever you'd like.
We should think twice about engaging with anything that has rotting in the title.
Adyashanti says comfort tends to lower our consciousness.
Yes,
Let's relax,
Take a day off,
But we must realize that we have an opportunity to put our hearts into something.
Countless people are bedridden with health concerns that they would give anything to get up and live a purposeful life.
Doing something challenging creates a sense of aliveness.
And that,
My friend,
Is what we are longing for.
We crave the feeling of being awake.
So don't let your potential rot.
You have an opportunity to be the generative creative force that you were put on this earth to be.
So go out and seek your metaphorical arena and put yourself in the game.
Go slow,
But be intentional.
You don't want too much pressure that your nervous system shuts down,
But it takes going to the edge to know where it is.
You are capable of so much more than you think.
May you embrace your life and the pressure that comes with it.
Know that I am rooting for you.
Caveat.
I know there are some counter arguments where pressure is not a privilege.
I get an understand there is sensitivity to one's traumas and backgrounds where pressure may feel life-threatening.
So with everything that anyone says often,
Please have some nuance in understanding and take it with a sense that,
Yes,
This is not going to work for everyone,
But inviting you if it does resonate or if it does move you forward in a way that feels expansive and maybe a little scary,
Then maybe this is a message for you.
And of course,
It's not going to be for everyone.
So thank you so much for listening.
I hope this was supportive for your journey.
And if you enjoyed this track,
Leave a comment.
I love reading and hearing how you engage with the content that I put out there.
And if you want to stay connected with me on Insight Timer,
Go check out Lose Circle.
It's a place where I get to share new content and meditations that I have coming up,
Lives that I do,
And just to stay connected with some of my work.
So I encourage you to go check out Lose Circle and explore the many meditations and courses I have on this app to go a little bit deeper.
So thanks again,
And we will chat again soon.
Namaste.
