Splitting kindling, and other head games

            I love splitting kindling. It also makes me crazy. Jonathan, a highly rational person, taught me the essential splitting technique. “Focus on the spot you want to hit,” he said. “I AM focusing!” I want to say, adolescently. It sounds like magical thinking, but when I’m able to find that focus, it works! Awesome! The problem is, so much of the time I can’t find the focus. Chop! Wood flings to the floor, unscathed.
            Head games. The same forces are at work in tennis, golf, probably every hand-eye coordination sport or challenge – archery, riflery, baseball, carpentry, darts, bowling, backyard corn hole, you name it. Some days you’re on; other days your snowball misses the tree trunk entirely; you hammer yourself in the thumb. Aggravation and failure escalate, hand in hand. What is the magic secret to setting the brain on the right trajectory?
            On good days, sweet empowerment! On bad days, better just read a book.
             
My 60th year in 60,000 words
Day 141: 156 words, TOTAL = 22,980; 37,020 remaining