Cornhole: a metaphor

So in the course of work today, I had the opportunity to play some cornhole. Before my gentle readers collapse in shock and horror allow me to explain what cornhole is to those not in the know (Ive only been in the know for about three weeks). This game is basically little more than standing across the yard throwing bean bags into a hole. Weve been using the game with clients because not only does it help with gross motor and hand eye coordination, the nature of the game requires opponents to stand together which is incredibly therapeutic in terms of working on social skills, sportsmanship and other targeted areas of treatment. All this information isnt really relevant to my post however.

As I was playing with my client and another team, I was receiving pointers from one of my co-workers (lets call him Zodd). This particular worker has been coaching me in the ways of cornhole (SHAME ON YOU) since I first started playing. For those who dont know me in RL, let me interject that Im not what you'd call sporty or even coordinated. Thus, getting my throw arc, my release point, my step and my form to work in concert only happens about once every other game. As I looked across to my partner and my opponent (another co-worker, we will call him Glob), Zodd tells me that I need to work on my finesse. At that moment, Glob tosses his bean bag and I watched his body move completely as one functioning unit. It was actually kind of beautiful. The next throw is made by my client. He was pretty much a little cyclone. Sweet and touching but not so beautiful. And not so effective either. Needless to say, I could definitely relate to his performance. Together we scored about six points in two games (you play to til 21). I was able to hit the board maybe twice in about 36 throws. I did not get it in the hole today. Glob and his partner wiped the floor with us. But again, the post is not about us losing. I dont mind losing. I like to play and Im very trained at laughing at myself.

All day long though, I reflected on Glob's form and fluidity in that moment of the perfect toss. I realized that I lack this fluidity not only in Cornhole but also in life. I feel like I can take any individual task (the throw, the release point etc) and master it. When it comes time to perform all these tasks together? Im the cyclone. And Im completely ineffective. Im starting to think that this problem might be at the root of a lot of my difficulties in life. I realize that this might not be the best time for this kind of self-evaluation, being that my ADD is rampant and Im seriously undermedicated as I "build tolerance" to a different medication. Still I can actually taste the frustration of aiming for the hole and not even hitting the board. And Im not only talking about the actual game here. So much of my life seems to be aiming for the hole and not hitting the board. Being a cyclone is tiresome.