Some nights, when the conditions are just right, a big semior heavy duty truck screams by our place in Calgary – and as I lay still, on my bed in my room –
the entire foundation of the house shakes, ever so slightly; just for a moment, and I often wonder if anyone else felt the earth move?
directly parallel to our back lane. The 8,030 kilometers of
federal-provincial road cuts through all 10 provinces and connects “Mile 0” in Victoria,
BC to the lobsters off the coast of the Maritimes.
It’s incredible to me, to think about how a single line can connect so much. At one time or another I have been from coast to coast along that path – and over the years, those journeys along that line, have been both memorable and undeniably character shaping.
An interesting concept often finds its way into our train of thought as we embark on different journeys, stay in new towns, see new sights, and meet new people. Would this be better? Instantly, I draw a parallel from that perception of life to my current day to day routine and lifestyle.
I read something recently about perceptual adaption (read the article here) – in short, the study theorized that when our eyes perceive something
in a “new way” it can take up to three days for our brain to adjust to this
change – after that time, the “new” will suddenly be accepted as “normal”. And while the jury is still out on whether the experiment itself or the 3-day
timeline is relevant or accurate – the concept spoke volumes
Through my eyes, a great deal of “new” has quietly been snuggling up with my “normal”:
- The physical
- The mental
- The emotional
- The psychological
At least one item in each of these categories has tripped me up (albeit momentarily) and caused me to wonder if “this” or “that” might be better? These thoughts can distract our focus and even keep us up at night. And while I believe it’s somewhat natural and important to question our surroundings and our path – much more weight must indeed be placed on trust and self-belief. Don’t get confused though – these concepts all too often, have to be beaten into MY head over and over again – so that I can calmly take a deep breath… exhale …. and truly believe that everything really is as needs to be.
If there was just one thing I could tell you about living the life of your dreams, knowing that you understood it, it would be “enough”, I would ask you to realize that you already are.
This past month has really set the tone for the upcoming 2013/14 season. An intense, positive energy buzzes through the air like electricity through overhead power-lines and the dull hum it creates slows my heartbeat.
Training is showing me how much stronger and technically sound I have become; we have once again returned to the Ice House and the spikes are digging in with speed. My unbelievable family and friends (old and new) have been cheering me on at every “up-to-bat” … allowing me to swing with all my might and catching me when I strike out.
In the go-go-go of an Olympic year, it can be all to easy to get tangled up in the web of “what ifs” – and more than likely each and every one of us will get a little tied up. The important thing is to keep a pair of sharp scissors with you … cut through the threads and know that it’s “normal”… even if it feels “new”.
“If it’s not real you can’t hold it in your hands or feel it
with your heart, but if it’s true you can see it with your eyes; even in the dark.” – Paramore
31 days* until ice. (*give or take)
50 days until Canadian Team Selections.
