Mommy Wants Vodka Contest

The World Is Amazing

Today, I am avoiding practicing by working on my dissertation. The last few days it has become clear that I am putting too much stress and tension into my shot. So, I am here at the computer and not in the range. And then I read this compliments of an interview with Phillip Pullman:

Q: When you were talking about grace, it reminded me of Star Wars and Luke Skywalker learning how to use the light saber. His mentor was saying to him, "Stop trying so hard, just let it flow through your arm."

PP: Well, this is basically the same, isn't it? If you read Zen and the Art of Archery, the same thing is true in that. You become the bow and the arrow and the target, and once you are all three, then you stop thinking about it. If you are a cook, you don't just inhabit your body, you inhabit the saucepan and the eggs and the heat and the spoon. You are all of these things. Once you've sensed them all together, the sauce won't curdle.

What else can I say?

Parsons, Wendy, and Nicholson, Catriona. "Talking to Philip Pullman: An Interview." The Lion and the Unicorn 23.1 (1999): 116-134. Print.

Pictures....

When I see pictures of me in my archery gear, I think yeah, that's me instead of ugh, it's me....

Go with your Gut

Okay--this is a fairly common lesson. But after getting my new stabilizer all set up and working great, it dawned on me that my grip on the bow slipped. Still, I did nothing. I thought about it. Then thought about it some more. Finally, I said, to myself--do something. And low and behold, the doing something really helped. I had the nirvana experience of shooting "easy" today. I didn't struggle with the bow or the grip or my stance. It was "point and shoot."

I realize though that going with your gut sometimes isn't the best way to go, so maybe I am advocating a split on this one. Listen to your gut, think about it, (really think about--assess options, etc) then act. I wouldn't want to veer too far in the other direction of knee-jerk reaction either. But we really should listen to the our voice, not the one we speak with but the one inside.

Outdoor Season Ended....Sort Of

Hmmm..it has been awhile since archery has lead me to any great epiphanies as of late aside from all the ones I probably learned and lost just as quickly.

Though perhaps that isn't true. Being at Nationals really helped me to appreciate friendship and sportsmanship.

I learned to trust my gut on who works with me and who might work against me.

I learned that spreading a little kindness never hurts, even if you aren't too sure about who you are spreading it to.

I learned to listen to some elders--which I suspect just may make me a better archer.

Hopefully, most of all, I have learned to lighten up some. I did about 85% of what I set out to do last year. Sometimes, we need to take pleasure in that. Things don't have to be 100% to be celebrated. You can celebrate every step along the way. Enjoy it or why do it?

Lessons Learned From Trials

Things I need to do:

A.) Chart my arrows--really know where I am going!
B.) Slow down and really check myself before my shot--know thyself!
C.) Ignore noise--focus inside--OM!!!
D.) Embrace my own reasons for doing things--you don't need to be like everyone else to win; champions are unique.
E.) Cut myself some slack but work hard anyway--love yourself the way you would someone else.

This should be pretty clear how this ties to real life. Now to put it into practice.

Celebrate Successes

I realize I posted for Arizona, but not Texas and Gold Cup--for shame! When we do well, we should process this and celebrate it as much as anything else. So yeah me! So there.