I finished the writing of my second book last night. The tough and time consuming part will now begin. I hope to have it finished by the new year. As long as I keep my goals in order I’m pretty sure I’ll get to where I want to go. For some unknown reason I felt a sense of accomplishment when I typed the last few words. I never had that feeling with the first book.
Late yesterday afternoon I decided that I should probably shoot a few arrows since I’ve only shot outside twice this year. I wanted to be sighted in for the IBO Qualifier that I was going to attend on Sunday.
For twenty minutes I felt a calm, soothing sense of relaxation as I launched arrow after arrow into the target. The last five years I haven’t shot many arrows at all. What used to be a driving force in my life has become something more like a past-time for me now. I haven’t really found anything that has taken its place, but I also don’t feel like I have to shoot. I do miss traveling to the tournaments all over the country. I met a lot of great people and I still keep in touch with many of them. I feel very fortunate that I shot so well when I was in the presence of so many people that I didn’t know.
A few weeks ago when I was talking to one of my friends she asked me a question that I hadn’t thought about in a long time. We were talking about different things that we liked to do and she asked me if I ever thought about getting seriously involved in archery again. Without thinking, I told her that I wasn’t interested in it and that I didn’t have the motivation to spend enough time to get back to the same level that I used to enjoy.
Since that day I’ve thought about it a lot. I wondered if it might be something that I should look at in order to find that quiet mind that I used to have. When I was deeply involved with the archery tournaments it was easy to center my mind and eliminate most of the distracting thoughts that entered it.
I have noticed that my mind has a tendency to run rampant now, as compared to then. The other night when I shot the arrows, my mind was quiet at the center. There was no monkey chatter in the background. I focused, pulled, felt the tension build in my back and watched the arrow strike the target.
The same thing happened today at the tournament. Although I hadn’t shot a 3D target since last summer I held my own. I will actually be quite surprised if I didn’t win my class. I made a few sloppy shots, but for the most part my execution was flawless, just as it used to be. I hit a few targets low, but it was due to being a little short on my yardage estimation.
On my way home I realized that I could probably do quite well if I wanted to put the same amount of time into it that I used to. Since those days I’ve went through a lot of life-changing experiences. I’ve learned a few lessons the hard way and I’ve also realized that certain things happen for a reason. Sometimes we need a little change to lead us in another direction. I’ve always kept my mind open to change.
Although I’ve always enjoyed writing I never put a lot into it after I graduated from college. Then, archery came along which kept me away from it for too long. Finally, through a few trying times, everything seemed to come full circle. I was able to write my first book, a nationally syndicated column and now my second book. Without change, none of that would have happened.
About five years ago I wrote down a quote that a friend gave me. She told me to read it, absorb it and try to realize that one day it might have meaning to me. The quote read, “Sometimes the most amazing and unimaginable blessings come out of the worst events of our lives.”
Now, I’m finally able to fully understand what is behind the quote. I’m not sure that I’m there yet, but I feel that I’m on a good path right now. I’m content as I march along in pursuit of happiness. I’m enjoying every day and whatever it brings into my life.
When I was a child I watched “The Wizard of Oz” every spring. It was an annual tradition in my home. I can actually see a little of myself in all of the main characters. The most vivid picture I can see is that off the yellow brick road. I’m pretty sure that I’m on it. I’m learning more about myself and my place in life every single day. I’ll be forever thankful for that. Enjoy your journey wherever it might take you. I’m surely enjoying mine.