Racing through life’s storms, a stress-busting sigh, and a workout hack
Hi there, I’m Aarti, Founder and Lead Therapist at Incontact.
A warm welcome to all our new subscribers joining us for the second edition of 1-1-2 Inspire! I’m so glad you’re here, and I hope this little weekly dose of inspiration continues to help you find balance and joy in your daily life. If you find something that resonates, don’t hesitate to share this newsletter with a friend—it’s always better when we grow together!
Today’s story comes from the book, “The Art of Racing in the Rain” by Garth Stein. The story is told through the eyes of Enzo, a dog who deeply reflects on life as he watches over his owner, Denny. Being a dog owner myself, I can so relate to it. Hope you enjoy it too. ❤️
1 Story
A dog’s view of racing through the rain
When Enzo was a puppy, his owner Denny started taking him to the racetrack. 🏎️ Denny was a professional race car driver, and Enzo would eagerly watch his racing sessions from the pit with the enthusiasm and curiosity you’d expect from a Labrador Retriever. 🐕
Enzo was in awe of Denny’s driving—every twist and turn executed with precision. It was magnificent.
And to Enzo, Denny was his hero.
One day, when it started to rain, other drivers struggled. A Ferrari spun out, sliding off the track like a mad dog digging frantically in the garden. Two other cars barely avoided collisions.
But not Denny.
I saw him calmly negotiate each turn, finding the wet line, driving with precision and restraint. His car looked almost graceful compared to the other drivers. While they were frantic, trying to correct their spins and regain control, Denny was steady and smooth, balancing the car effortlessly.
— Enzo in The Art of Racing in the Rain
This was more than driving fast. It was about mastering tough conditions. Rain wasn’t something to be feared, but something to be mastered. It wasn’t an obstacle—it was simply part of the race.
Enzo understood something profound: The true hero is not flawless. The real test of a champion isn’t winning when things are easy. It’s about standing strong in the face of adversity and still finding a way to succeed.
“Your car goes where your eyes go,” Denny always said. And it’s true. When a driver loses control, they often crash into the wall because that’s what they’re focused on. But Denny knew better.
“He focused on where he wanted the car to go, not on where it could crash. His eyes never wavered from the road ahead, and as a result, his car always stayed on course—even in the rain.”
— Enzo in The Art of Racing in the Rain
1 Takeaway
The making of a hero is in facing the storm
Enzo realised that racing in the rain mirrors life itself—adversity is inevitable, just like the rain. The true test isn’t how well you perform when the skies are clear and conditions are easy, but how you handle the storms.
The best drivers don’t panic or lose focus when the track becomes slick. They don’t let fear control them. Instead, they maintain their calm, keep their eyes fixed on where they want to go and adjust with grace.
The true mark of a hero is not perfection, but the ability to face adversity with resilience and poise.
When the storm hits, the key is to remain steady, stay on course, and trust yourself to make it through the rain.
Tip #1
A sigh to reduce stress
It’s not about if stress comes. It’s about when stress comes.
Here’s a scientifically proven tool to help you deal with stress—Physiological sigh—as shown by neuroscientist, Dr. Andrew Huberman. ⬇️
Tip #2
A psychological hack to make your workout a tiny bit easier
While doing reps during your workout, instead of counting up, count down.
When you’re counting up—1, 2, 3,….10—the end feels far.
Instead, when you count down—10, 9, 8….1—you invoke the power of the Finish Line effect. Every number brings you one step closer to the end.
Instead of feeling How much more?! 😰 your mindset shifts to Almost there! 😮💨
“It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.”
— Sir Edmund Hillary
