Shipwrecks Sail Again

I’ve been feeling off this week, my normal optimism waning and the things I love to do not holding as much interest as usual.  It seems that frustration is plaguing my every waking moment and I seem to have an endless cycle of thoughts running through my mind.  There seems to be an unprecedented number of challenges that seem to be without solution that I find I’m unable to escape thoughts of.

I do believe this week is feeling a little overwhelming as I’ve been feeling rather sick to my stomach the past couple of days and I know I haven’t been getting nearly enough sleep.  I also don’t sit idle very well but with my energy levels rather drained from this flu/cold/whatever it is makes it hard to get moving.

This is why I’m so looking forward to tomorrow evening when I have an activity guaranteed to get me going and focus my thoughts elsewhere. Dragon boat practices begin tomorrow and I can’t explain how much I’m looking forward to getting out on the water.  

I’ve been craving the feel of being on the water for a while now, the coolness rising from the river, the sound of gentle waves lapping at the boats edge, the pull of water against the paddle.  Everything about paddling in a dragon boat team feels rewarding and satisfying.

The count of one, two, three, four ringing in my head drives out all other thoughts focusing my mind completely on the task at hand.  Staying in rhythm with the others gives me a feeling of focus and determination.   Alone none of us would be able to move the long boat against the current but together we have amazing strength and the boat reaches amazing speeds.

It is in those moments, when we all paddle in perfect harmony that I am anticipating, when there is no thought only rhythm and strength carrying us all forward.  

The First Law of Motion

The first law of motion is that which is in motion tends to stay in motion and that which is at rest tends to stay at rest.  Some kind of force is needed to change the motion or lack thereof. 

The force needed to bring a self imposed challenge; a dream or a wish into motion is what takes the most force.  Although that starting force is often hard to find once it is in motion it will likely stay in motion and so the biggest challenge in life, is not in completing a self-imposed challenge but in beginning it.   

Trying Something New

I always enjoy trying out new things, both physical and otherwise.  Sometimes they turn out to be something I love to do, others I hate and then there are those that I'm not quite sure about.

This is my first attempt at rock wall climbing taken yesterday evening and as of today it's falling into the unsure category. While I really did have lots of fun I'm not so certain the pain is worth it. I have several dozen little bruises, abrasions, rope burns, and aches.  Not to mention the blisters.

The little scrapes and bruises aren't so bad I'm always scraping or bruising myself and the aches are actaully rather minor but the blisters are driving me nuts.  I can neither, or at least without pain, extend my fingers fully or make a fist today. This is making typing amongst everything else a little bit more difficult. 

It was quite the workout and a fun and interesting challenge so if it weren't for the stiffness in my hands it would firmly fall into the love to do category. I will try a few more times at least as I can't help think the problem may have simply been to much to fast. I'm hoping next time I'll remember the techniques I was taught to keep weight of my hands and I won't push myself quite so hard or for so long. 

Was worth the new experience regardless of if I end up loving it or not.