Day 36: Archers do it with a quiver…

“The key to success is to focus our conscious mind on things we desire not things that we fear.”

-Unknown

 

Today this Sagittarius knew exactly what she desired, so she decided to take on a new challenge. Aim for the bull’s eye, breathe evenly and shoot… Yes, archery was the adventure of the day!

I arrived at Wasting Arrows, an archery center close to home.  I know very little about archery and so I decided to take a lesson.  I walked through the door and noticed two men who had an outdoorsy look about them standing in the lobby area.  Like me they were patrons, but unlike me, they appeared comfortable with what they were about to embark on.

The young lady checking me in had me sign a waiver, had my bow and arrows picked for me and I was then led to the open range.  I had serious apprehension at this point. As soon as I walked into the range, all male eyes were on me, not for those reasons, but because a chick with her hair done up and her nails painted and who obviously knew little about archery, was entering into their world.  The instructor was  female, and I would come to find out that she had just graduated high school and was about to head out to Africa to track and tag lions!  Now that takes courage!  In any event, she was very patient, thorough and encouraging. She certainly helped put me at ease with this new experience.

I was given a target about 10 yards away, standard for newbies.  I was shown how to hold the bow and grasp the shaft of the arrow and place it properly to ready myself to shoot.    I straddled the line, my left arm extended straight, my three fingers grasped the firm bow string and I was told to pull hard.  I could feel the 20 pounds of tension as I pulled back on the string.  My fingers gently touched my right cheek as I steadied my arm and held my aim.  In a half a second I released my grip and hit the target on the first shot…no, not the bull’s eye, but I hit the target! I was told later, that the men watching were surprised that this “chick” that had never held the shaft of an arrow in her hand before, could perform so well.  Not being satisfied with that first shot, I eagerly tried again.  I enjoyed the power and feel of the bow.  Pulling back on the bow string and holding the aim was addicting. I was anxious to see how close I could get that arrow to that sweet spot.  Arrow after arrow I came ever so close and losing track of time… until, that moment of glory!  Not one bull’s eye, but three!!!  What an exhilarating feeling to watch the arrow as it left my bow and hit the target… it was quite an intense and fulfilling feeling of accomplishment!

 

 

With each shot I took, the men around me respected me more. Finally, as my hour lesson came to an end and I handed over my bow and arrows, one of the men came over and asked if I had enjoyed the experience. With a smile and a wink, I said, “Most definitely!”

 

 

Today, this Sagittarius knew exactly what she desired. With one bow, one target and too many arrows to count, I earned respect from people I had never met. On a mission to waste arrows, I hit that perfect sweet spot that put a smile on my face. Mission accomplished… wondering what tomorrow will bring!