I kept writing about rowing. That’s because the Regatta is happening on 3 Nov. With less than a week away, you could imagine our levels of anticipation, expectation and excitement. We appear to dream rowing, breathe rowing and live rowing.
For the past 4 months, I’ve learnt a lot about this sport. I found out rowing is more than just cyclical actions. I’ve become more aware of my strength and power. I’ve gained a deeper insight of my muscles’ response to adaptation. I’ve grown to be comfortable with my teammates. I’ve discovered that every team is unique, different and extraordinary. The heart of human excellence often begins to beat when you discover a pursuit that gives you a sense of meaning, joy or passion. When you find something within a pursuit, that you are truly committed to develop, everything else grows. The sport has made me stronger, better and tougher.
This song from Rocky Balboa best describe our sentiments
Measure of a Man
These battered hand are all you own
This broken heart has turned to stone
Go hang your glory on the wall
There comes a time when castles fall
And all that's left is shifting in the sand
You're out of time, you're out of place
Look at your face
That's the measure of a man
This coat that fits you like a glove
These dirty streets you learned to love
So welcome back my long lost friend
You've been to hell and back again
God alone knows how you crossed that span
Back on the beat, back to the start
Trust in your heart
That's the measure of a man
It's the fire in the eyes, the lines on the hand
It's the things you understand
Permanent ties from which you once ran
That's the measure of a man
You've come full circle, now you're home
Without the gold, without the chrome
And this is where you've always been
You had to lose so you could win
And rise above your troubles while you can
Now you can love, now you can lose
Now you can choose
That's the measure of a man
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
Embrace the moment
Life seems to make sport of me, literally and figuratively. On May, I resumed rowing and then after the race I’m robbed of this passion for 2-3 weeks. I had to undergo not 1 but 2 minor surgery. Surgery, whether it’s minor or major, is still a surgery. It means the doctor may make an incision or two, manipulate or dissect to treat me. Am I nervous? You bet. The thought of it already freak me out. Anyway, the week-long MC will allow me to help recuperate my worn out muscular anatomy from months of rowing and gym. It’s also a time for me to catch up with my much needed slumber from late nights in the past. It’s also a good opportunity to hunt and lug home some good videos and eat myself silly during meal times. Of course the clutters in my room do require my attention to find their rightful domain. I can’t recall the last time I tidy and organise my room. Looks like I’ve got a whole host of things to do during my hiatus.
But right now, my mind is focused on the event that’s happening about a week from now – the much awaited and anticipated Regatta. The race that we’ve been preparing for the past 4 months – 4 months of rowing, 4 months of gym, 4 months of sweat that translate to a test that last slightly more than a minute. It’s my second Regatta but I’m just as excited if not more. I know my strokes still leave much to be desired. I know I still have a great deal to toil for my strength and power. I worked hard but probably still not hard enough.
Rowing maybe a repetitive action but behind every paddle is the number of muscle groups engaged in the movement, the synchronization of your strokes with your teammates, the understanding of aquatic properties, law of motion, the synergy and rapport within the team, the rigorous gym sessions, the mental strength and aggression required of the sport.
The pursuit of excellence is both challenging and fulfilling. Relish its intensity, cherish its beautiful moments and accept its risks. This sense of passionate absorption and personal meaning, the charged-up feeling, the flow of adrenaline, the body telling its master – I’m ready….let’s go. It’s a wonderful opportunity to embrace this excitement, to raise our level of performance, to be stimulated by others, to test self-control and push our limits. The outcome is important but the real trip is loving the journey, immerse yourself in simple joys of the current experiences and savour them. We joined the sport for different reasons. We came from diverse backgrounds. We arrived in all shapes and sizes. And we end up in the same boat. Through weeks and months, we’ve become more aware of ourselves. Through gym and row, we’ve become more physically endowed. Through thick and thin, we’ve become a unique team.
But right now, my mind is focused on the event that’s happening about a week from now – the much awaited and anticipated Regatta. The race that we’ve been preparing for the past 4 months – 4 months of rowing, 4 months of gym, 4 months of sweat that translate to a test that last slightly more than a minute. It’s my second Regatta but I’m just as excited if not more. I know my strokes still leave much to be desired. I know I still have a great deal to toil for my strength and power. I worked hard but probably still not hard enough.
Rowing maybe a repetitive action but behind every paddle is the number of muscle groups engaged in the movement, the synchronization of your strokes with your teammates, the understanding of aquatic properties, law of motion, the synergy and rapport within the team, the rigorous gym sessions, the mental strength and aggression required of the sport.
The pursuit of excellence is both challenging and fulfilling. Relish its intensity, cherish its beautiful moments and accept its risks. This sense of passionate absorption and personal meaning, the charged-up feeling, the flow of adrenaline, the body telling its master – I’m ready….let’s go. It’s a wonderful opportunity to embrace this excitement, to raise our level of performance, to be stimulated by others, to test self-control and push our limits. The outcome is important but the real trip is loving the journey, immerse yourself in simple joys of the current experiences and savour them. We joined the sport for different reasons. We came from diverse backgrounds. We arrived in all shapes and sizes. And we end up in the same boat. Through weeks and months, we’ve become more aware of ourselves. Through gym and row, we’ve become more physically endowed. Through thick and thin, we’ve become a unique team.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Flight of Geese
You'll probably have come across this many times and I find that it so applicable in our team.
If between friends and teammates, we were geese... ... Ah!
The next season, when you see the geese migrating, going to a warmer place.... Pay attention that they fly in a "V" formation. Maybe you will be interested in knowing why they do it this way...
By flying in a "V"formation, the whole flock increases the flight efficiency by 71% compared to just one bird flying alone.
Lesson 1:
Sharing the same direction and working as a team, get us to the destination quicker and easier. By helping ourselves, the accomplishments are greater!.
When a goose leaves the formation... He feels the resistance of the air and the difficulties of flying alone....Then he quickly comes back to the formation to take advantage of the flock’s power in front of him..
Lesson 2:
By staying in tune and united beside those who are going in the same direction, the effort will be less. It will be easier and pleasing to reach the goals, Everyone will be inclined to accept and give help.
When the leader goose gets tired of flying, he goes to the end of the"V"formation while another goose takes the lead.
Lesson 3:
To share the leadership, There must be mutual respect between us all the time... Sharing the hardest problems and tasks.. Gathering our abilities and combining our talents and resources….
The geese flying on a "V" formation, they quack to encourage to the ones in front....
In that way, they keep the same speed.
Lesson 4:
When there is courage and encouragement, the progress is greater..
A timely word of encouragement, always motivates, helps and strengthens..
It produces the best of benefits...
When a goose gets sick, is injured or gets tired,
And he must leave the formation...
Other geese leave the formation too, and they fly with him to help him out and protect him.
They remain with him until he dies or he is able to fly again.
They reach their bevy or they just make another "V" formation.
Lesson 5:
Let’s stay beside each other no matter what the differences.
Specially in times of difficulty and great challenges..
If we bond together and support each other
If we make true the spirit of teamwork
Regardless of our differences,
we can rise to meet our challenge.
If we understand the real value of friendship
If we are aware of the feeling of sharing
LIFE WILL BE MORE FULFILLING AND MEANINGFUL
If between friends and teammates, we were geese... ... Ah!
The next season, when you see the geese migrating, going to a warmer place.... Pay attention that they fly in a "V" formation. Maybe you will be interested in knowing why they do it this way...
By flying in a "V"formation, the whole flock increases the flight efficiency by 71% compared to just one bird flying alone.
Lesson 1:
Sharing the same direction and working as a team, get us to the destination quicker and easier. By helping ourselves, the accomplishments are greater!.
When a goose leaves the formation... He feels the resistance of the air and the difficulties of flying alone....Then he quickly comes back to the formation to take advantage of the flock’s power in front of him..
Lesson 2:
By staying in tune and united beside those who are going in the same direction, the effort will be less. It will be easier and pleasing to reach the goals, Everyone will be inclined to accept and give help.
When the leader goose gets tired of flying, he goes to the end of the"V"formation while another goose takes the lead.
Lesson 3:
To share the leadership, There must be mutual respect between us all the time... Sharing the hardest problems and tasks.. Gathering our abilities and combining our talents and resources….
The geese flying on a "V" formation, they quack to encourage to the ones in front....
In that way, they keep the same speed.
Lesson 4:
When there is courage and encouragement, the progress is greater..
A timely word of encouragement, always motivates, helps and strengthens..
It produces the best of benefits...
When a goose gets sick, is injured or gets tired,
And he must leave the formation...
Other geese leave the formation too, and they fly with him to help him out and protect him.
They remain with him until he dies or he is able to fly again.
They reach their bevy or they just make another "V" formation.
Lesson 5:
Let’s stay beside each other no matter what the differences.
Specially in times of difficulty and great challenges..
If we bond together and support each other
If we make true the spirit of teamwork
Regardless of our differences,
we can rise to meet our challenge.
If we understand the real value of friendship
If we are aware of the feeling of sharing
LIFE WILL BE MORE FULFILLING AND MEANINGFUL
Friday, October 12, 2007
Blast from the past
I first heard this song in 1993, didn't like it at first but it soon grew on me over the years. I now consider it a classic. Dolores distinctive voice is just awesome, never mind if I can't decipher parts of what she's singing. "Do u have to, do u have to, let it linger........."
Friday, October 5, 2007
Still feels good
Rascal Flatts released a new album, couple of tracks from this album.
Enjoy!
Take Me There
Winner at a losing game
Enjoy!
Take Me There
Winner at a losing game
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
The hardest word
Our lives can be like an overloaded bag, filled with things we need to let go. This is especially true of past hurts. We tuck those wounds in our emotional bag and hang on to them. Every once in a while we take out those old injuries and look them over before tucking the pain back in our bag.
Sometime in April, I was hurt by a very close friend, someone whom I respected a lot. After that trip in April, we only met once for lunch. Occasionally, this person will send sms but I did not even bother to respond. There were memorable moments but there were also painful ones like constant verbal abuse, bickering and squabbling whenever we go out. Time and again, I had wanted to forgive but I kept holding back.
If forgiving is the answer to releasing my pain, why didn’t I do it? Well, because forgiving someone is hard! Another reason is that it’s difficult to do it properly. And then there is the fear that by forgiving someone we are inviting them to hurt us again or that we are saying what they did was ok.
Of course if I forgive, I’m definitely not endorsing this person’s actions or behaviour. I just want to free myself from the black hole of bitterness. We can’t change what’s happened but we can choose to be a hero instead of becoming a victim of this experience.
Sometime in April, I was hurt by a very close friend, someone whom I respected a lot. After that trip in April, we only met once for lunch. Occasionally, this person will send sms but I did not even bother to respond. There were memorable moments but there were also painful ones like constant verbal abuse, bickering and squabbling whenever we go out. Time and again, I had wanted to forgive but I kept holding back.
If forgiving is the answer to releasing my pain, why didn’t I do it? Well, because forgiving someone is hard! Another reason is that it’s difficult to do it properly. And then there is the fear that by forgiving someone we are inviting them to hurt us again or that we are saying what they did was ok.
Of course if I forgive, I’m definitely not endorsing this person’s actions or behaviour. I just want to free myself from the black hole of bitterness. We can’t change what’s happened but we can choose to be a hero instead of becoming a victim of this experience.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
