Gotta Get Out of No Man's Land?

I learned to play tennis in the 1970's.  Although I really never had a lesson until a couple of years ago, I picked up tips from the many people I played with - especially in the beginning.  One of the big no-no's during that time period was standing in "no man's land".  No man's land on the tennis court is the space between the service line and the base line.  I was told emphatically, that just as no man's land was a place of almost certain death in WW1, no man's land on the tennis court would lead to the certain loss of the point. 

The idea was that because the ball typically lands in that space on the court, that the only way to hit the ball successfully would be with a half volley - not necessarily the easiest thing to do.

Yesterday I was at my club watching some friends play.  I'm recovering from a sprained ankle that's keeping me off the court.  One of the friends I'd been watching play has struggled with back issues that makes moving difficult.  It's kept her off the court a great deal over the last couple of years.  When their match was over she commented that one of the better male players at the club was suggesting that she learn to play in no man's land.  He told her that it would require much less running and allow her to play longer and with less effort.

She learned to play around the same period that I did and we commented that for us, it was a real paradigm shift to even think of playing from there.  She recounted a match she played against some very experienced and savvy doubles players with whom she and a partner had a knock down / drag out match that lasted 3+ hours.  She and her partner ran their butts off, while the other ladies had a much easier time of it due to the fact that they could play from no man's land.  Hmmm.

Sometimes a paradigm shift is exactly what's called for.  Occasionally that means learning a new skill.  If changing situations have you sidelined - or even partially sidelined, perhaps what you need is a paradigm change.  Maybe you've held on to assumptions that are holding you back.  You've assumed there's a certain place that's unsafe, but the truth is that you can learn to play there - even perform better.  I know this much... once my ankle's better, I'm going to take a lesson or two on how to play in no man's land.  Maybe I'll challenge some other paradigms too.

Stepping Back

This morning I was able to finish a Free Cell game that had me stumped all day Sunday.  For those of you unfamiliar with Free Cell, it's a Solitaire game which can be won every time  - yes, every time.  If you're skeptical, I understand.  I was too, but I can tell you anecdotally, that it's possible. 

Yesterday I tried several strategies to no avail.  Not wanting to ruin my record, I stepped back.  I decided to leave it until I could view the problem with fresh eyes.  This morning, I didn't perceive the difficulties that I couldn't get passed yesterday.  Hmmm.

It's not uncommon to come up against a problem or obstacle that appears unsolvable or too big to overcome.  It's a temptation to insist on staying with it until we decide we can't figure it out and then simply walk away. Often all we need to do is step back for a minute - or perhaps a little longer - and wait.

What are we waiting for?  If it's an intellectual problem we're waiting for our brains to solve the problem.  If it's something bigger, then - if we are Christians - we're waiting for God.  God to do what?  To speak or to act (which of course in God's case, is the same thing). 

I don't think I'm overstating things to say that if you're in a situation that appears confusing or that feels forced, then you probably need to step back.  Stepping back is not stepping away, although you may find that stepping away is exactly what you'll eventually do - especially if you're trying to force something that seems immovable.  However, you may also find that if you step back and wait, God will step forward and act.  What could be better than that?