Setting Intentions
First step: Engage the senses:
I smell the varnish on the floor and memories of sweat in the air.
Feel my sneakered feet and hear my step squeak as I run, step, hop across the court.
Second step: I visualize the shot. The ball swooshing through the hoop.
And then, having thus prepared, I move to step three:
I try, toss, fail.
Intending doesn’t work, I think.
As I open my eyes,
I notice that my back was to the hoop the whole time.
I was throwing a frisbee, not a ball.
I back up a step: turn, face the hoop, basketball in hand this time.
Now, I think, I’ve got a plan.
I’ve got a shot.