When we think of gifts, our minds often drift to tangible items—a beautifully wrapped book, a cozy sweater, or a shiny new gadget. But what if the most profound gifts aren’t things you can hold? Words, for instance, are invisible yet powerful. They linger in the heart, shaping thoughts, sparking change, and sometimes even altering the course of a life. They are gifts that can’t be seen but are deeply felt, often transforming the way we live.
This brings me to a recent conversation Vladimir who never fails to offer such intangible yet life-changing gifts. Every conversation or training session with him leaves me with something profound—a nugget of wisdom, a shift in perspective, or a moment of clarity. This past Monday was no different.
During a phone call, I asked him a question I thought was straightforward: “What’s the best exercise to improve your Systema?” I expected a list of physical drills—pushups, squats, leg raises—the Big 3 so to speak. But instead, he gave me something far more valuable: a gift of insight.
“I only do exercises that make my body happy,” he said. Simple. Direct. Powerful.
Those words hit me like one of his punches. How often do I push my body to suffer in the name of health or discipline? Eating foods I despise because they’re “good for me,” grinding through workouts I hate because they’re “supposed to help,” or forcing myself into activities like yoga, clenching my teeth through every pose because it’s what everyone says is good for you. Vladimir’s words made me question: Why am I so focused on making my body endure rather than thrive?
This reminded me of a book I once read, Dying to Be Me by Anita Moorjani. It’s a captivating account of her near-death experience and the profound lessons she brought back. One part that stuck with me was her reflection on diet and health. Before her NDE, she lived in fear of cancer, forcing herself to drink foul-tasting green juices, avoiding wine and chocolate, and choking down kale—all in the name of prevention. But her focus on fear and deprivation backfired. She developed cancer and, in her words, “died.” After her NDE, her perspective shifted entirely. She realized that joy and self-love were the keys to health. Now, she enjoys chocolate, wine, and life itself—and her health has never been better.
Anita Moorjani’s story is a testament to the power of aligning with what brings us joy rather than living in fear or resistance. Her words, like Vladimir’s, are a gift—a reminder that true well-being comes not from suffering but from harmony.
And who knows? With her mindset, Anita might just excel at Systema, too. After all, it’s not just about the physical; it’s about listening to your body, finding joy in movement, and embracing the flow of life. Now that’s a gift worth unwrapping.
Central FL Systema 