it's as heavy as it needs to be
Throughout Arya's training, mostly with Syrio but also with the Faceless Man, she has these little litanies that she repeats to herself.
Swift as a deer. Quiet as a shadow. Fear cuts deeper than swords. Quick as a snake. Calm as still water. Fear cuts deeper than swords. Strong as a bear. Fierce as a wolverine. Fear cuts deeper than swords. The man who fears has already lost. Fear cuts deeper than swords. Fear cuts deeper than swords. Fear cuts deeper than swords. […] Never do what they expect. –a Game of Thrones, Arya IV
As I've been learning modern fencing (my needlework!), these come back to me now and again and I love them all.
Still as a stone. Swift as a deer. Strong as a bear. Quick as a snake. Light as a feather. Slippery as an eel. Calm as still water. Quiet as a shadow. Fierce as a wolverine. Smooth as summer silk. Look with your eyes. Listen with your ears. See with all your senses. Never do what they expect. Fear cuts deeper than swords. Where there is a way in there is a way out. The one who fears losing has already lost. A bruise is a lesson and each lesson makes us better.
Sometimes, when I'm starting a bout, I think "look with your eyes" or when I evade a thrust, "slippery as an eel".
And of course, when I've been holding my arm out too long and I think my sword is too heavy, Syrio's voice echos in my head,
It is heavy as it needs to be to make you strong, and for the balancing. A hollow inside is filled with lead, just so. One hand now is all that is needing.
or Jon's,
It's as heavy as it needs to be to stop a sword.
