Thanks, Barry. In the aftermath of a tragedy like what took place in Nashville this week, I end up spinning in mental circles, flailing around, not knowing quite what to do with all the thoughts. Solace comes in the form of rainbows. And friends.
Whew. I will return to this tonight. It most definately resonates -while i may not whole heartedly agree with everything you posit on first read my brain immediately flew to my eperience with last years SUP season-it was incredible- I hit some great PR's, i learned so many lessons, met so many people AND I allowed the (my)competitive nature to shift my love of SUP into a different, not necessarily better, place. I began comparing my performance to that of other paddlers & evaluating my 'self-worth'. Was it ruined- far from it-it was one of the best summers of my adult life but one of the most important lessons that I learned was to mind myself more closely-to step back and be sure not to lose the joyful connections with people and the Chesapeake Bay that SUP originally offered. When i get back out this year (post surgical recovery) I will be sure to take in hearty doses of easy joy along with the occassional competitive flurry! As always E, you really hit the nail on the head for me with the way that we view 'competition' and how we allow it to impact us emotionally.
Thank you, Kate, for these reflections and for your honesty. I especially loved this thought, "I learned...to mind myself more closely-to step back and be sure not to lose the joyful connections with people." I think that right there is the key. Our instincts can so easily take us toward aggressive and precarious mindsets when we are in "competition mode," that we forget we are also supposed to be having fun together.
I,too, do not share the win at all costs ,competition drive that many fellow humans have . I don't feel that there is anything wrong with it ,and although I do not know you personally to say this :I love you,Elizabeth ,for taking the time and care to write of your thoughts, and struggles with this supposedly 'normal' human trait . 🤗
What a delightful comment, Melody! I really appreciate knowing that it felt like more than a jumble of questions without many answers. Thank you for sharing.
Thank You!!, Tom
Thank you, Tom. Always appreciate your comments.
Powerful.... Love your rainbow closing, especially...
Thanks, Barry. In the aftermath of a tragedy like what took place in Nashville this week, I end up spinning in mental circles, flailing around, not knowing quite what to do with all the thoughts. Solace comes in the form of rainbows. And friends.
Whew. I will return to this tonight. It most definately resonates -while i may not whole heartedly agree with everything you posit on first read my brain immediately flew to my eperience with last years SUP season-it was incredible- I hit some great PR's, i learned so many lessons, met so many people AND I allowed the (my)competitive nature to shift my love of SUP into a different, not necessarily better, place. I began comparing my performance to that of other paddlers & evaluating my 'self-worth'. Was it ruined- far from it-it was one of the best summers of my adult life but one of the most important lessons that I learned was to mind myself more closely-to step back and be sure not to lose the joyful connections with people and the Chesapeake Bay that SUP originally offered. When i get back out this year (post surgical recovery) I will be sure to take in hearty doses of easy joy along with the occassional competitive flurry! As always E, you really hit the nail on the head for me with the way that we view 'competition' and how we allow it to impact us emotionally.
Thank you, Kate, for these reflections and for your honesty. I especially loved this thought, "I learned...to mind myself more closely-to step back and be sure not to lose the joyful connections with people." I think that right there is the key. Our instincts can so easily take us toward aggressive and precarious mindsets when we are in "competition mode," that we forget we are also supposed to be having fun together.
I,too, do not share the win at all costs ,competition drive that many fellow humans have . I don't feel that there is anything wrong with it ,and although I do not know you personally to say this :I love you,Elizabeth ,for taking the time and care to write of your thoughts, and struggles with this supposedly 'normal' human trait . 🤗
What a delightful comment, Melody! I really appreciate knowing that it felt like more than a jumble of questions without many answers. Thank you for sharing.
You are leading us on such a meaningful journey, Elizabeth. Thank you.
Much appreciated, Ann. And, glad you're on the journey with me/us.
'There are no hard lines." - oh, how very lovely.
If only we weren't so inclined to create the illusion of them... Thanks for reading and commenting, Roe. Hope your mom is doing okay.