On Trust, Respect and Photography - Kate Geraghty / Joel Meares (Fri 15May 2015)

Joanne and Mike - Llysfaen Primary School / Wales (Fri 16 Aug 2013)

Kate Geraghty on Trust, Respect and Photography:

It's a privilege to meet people and for them to trust us enough to tell us their story, [..] each one of them has to be given the respect to tell their story.

Via Photographer Kate Geraghty on the privilege of witnessing history by Joel Meares.

On Encouragement - Sir Alex Ferguson - Sports Are 80 Percent Mental | Anita Elberse | HBR (Oct 2013)

Well done - Auroras 2013 Senior B Mixed 1000m Szeged / Hungary (Thu 25 Jul 2013)
Sir Alex Ferguson (*) talks about Encouragement (*):

No one likes to be criticized (*), Few people get better with criticism (*). Most respond to encouragement (*) instead. For a player or any human being, there is nothing better than hearing Well done (*)

via 8 Coaching Keys From Sir Alex Ferguson (*) by Sports Are 80 Percent Mental (*) from Ferguson’s Formula (*) by Anita Elberse (*).

On Fear - Vivienne Gucwa (Thu 31 Oct 2013)

Untitled - Gyor / Hungary (Wed 17 Jul 2013)
Vivienne Gucwa (*) writes On Fear (*):

Something I believe in wholeheartedly is embracing whatever it is that you fear (*) the most. It’s the only way to come to peace (*) with yourself and allow yourself to live fully without regret (*).

via Vivienne Gucwa with Sony at PhotoPlus Expo 2013 (*) by Vivienne Gucwa (*).

Adam, Jo and Geoff - Bank Street / Pyrmont (Sat 29 Jun 2013)

Adam and Jo - Bank Street / Pyrmont (Sat 29 Jun 2013)
Adam, Jo and Geoff - Bank Street / Pyrmont (Sat 29 Jun 2013)

Adam Goodes Talk - Auroras 2013 Team Captains Announcement - Bank Street / Pyrmont (Sat 29 Jun 2013)

Auroras 2013 Team Captains Announcement - Adam Goodes Talk - Dragon Boat YouTube (*) Bank Street / Pyrmont (Sat 29 Jun 2013)
Adam Goodes (*) talks to the Sydney based Australian Dragon Boat Team Members, the 2013 Auroras.

It was a few weeks before we flew out to Hungary for our final training camp in Gyor (*) and then onto Szeged (*) a few days later, for the World Championships.

It was an amazing moment. To think that Adam would come down to say a few words to us.

You knew it was special at the time. But today, looking at this video, it made me realise how special it was. Thanks Adam. You are a Gentleman, a Champion and represent everything that which we aspire to as people and paddlers.

Following Adam's Talk, Kel announced the 2013 Aurora Divisional Team Leaders and overall Team Captains. As each was named, Adam presented the Sydney based Leaders and Captains with a Plaque which acknowledges each persons achievements in being selected to their position.

Finally, Kel thanked Adam for making time to see us, following which he was presented a plaque to remember his time with us. Needless to say, Adam was more than happy to spend a bit of time speaking to us individually and to make a few photos. See below.

Here is my humble efforts to transcribe what Adam said..

Kel suggested I come down here to see you guys who are going off to represent your country which I think is fantastic.

I do like to give back to community as much as possible and thought this was great opportunity.

You know this is not a sport that I am involved with. A sport which I have never tried before, but

[.. from the crowd .. we have got a spare seat. ]

I would hate to kick somebody out of their spot.

It is a fantastic thing, whether, you know, it's your first time representing Australia or whether you have been doing it for so many years as a Master. It is always the same. You have got that Green and Gold.

I have played for Australia four times, I have captained Australia in 2011 over in Ireland at the International Series there.

I didn't really feel what it was like to be a patriot to my Country until I represnted Australia. To see the Americans and how patriotic they are about the flag and everything.

It's not until you represent Australia and you are going away from Australian shores to do it that you actually feel how proud I am about the Country I come from, the Country I am representing and the people that we are.

Look at how diverse we all are just looking at us right now.

It is fantastic that we can go away and represent Australia and give our best. I think that is what being Australian is all about is giving our best.

You are also doing it for ..

The main reason I wanted to come down here today for you guys is to give you a pat on the back. Wish you good luck.

You know it is a fantastic opportunity to ..

You know I have never been to Hungary before. It is a great opportunity to see a different Country. Embrace their culture. Learn somehting new. But also, let them embrace our culture as well. Let them see what Australian people are like.

Have fun. You know, win, lose or draw, you are over there to enjoy yourself.

Get to know people on a different level. Travel together. I know the boys don't like travelling with me because I am a bit of a snorer.

[.. from the crowd - much laughter ..]

I dont have a problem with it, ..

but enjoy, have fun and go and do us proud.

That is the great thing about representing your Country.

It is what it is all about. Good luck.

[.. from the crowd - applause.]

Here are a few photos from the day. Thanks Adam and of course, Kel, for asking Adam.
Adam - Bank Street / Pyrmont (Sat 29 Jun 2013)
Adam - Bank Street / Pyrmont (Sat 29 Jun 2013)
Adam and Sydney-based Auroras 2013 Leadership Team - Bank Street / Pyrmont (Sat 29 Jun 2013)
Adam and Jo - Bank Street / Pyrmont (Sat 29 Jun 2013)
Adam, Jo and Geoff - Bank Street / Pyrmont (Sat 29 Jun 2013)

On Risk and Change - Giving it a go - Gyor / Hungary (Sat 20 Jul 2013)

Giving it a go - C2 Paddlers Karen and Louise - Gyor (Sat 20 Jul 2013) Giving it a go - C2 Paddlers Jo and Geoff - Gyor (Sat 20 Jul 2013)
Paulo Coelho (*) writes On Risk (*) and Change (*):

If you never take a risk (*), you will never know what changes (*) you need to make.

via The Way of the Bow (*) by Paulo Coelho (*).

We had finished our final training camp and some of us (the usual suspects, including a few that have taken the risks and made the changes on this shared journey right from the start, way back in Jan 2010) paddled the dragon boats across to the canoe club across the river. Serge had arranged for us to use some of the canoe clubs C1 and C2's. Most of us had not had too much experience on these tippy canoes, though that did not stop everyone giving it a go.

For me, it was a great moment and one that has become a fond memory of the whole Campaign (*). We had just finished our training and we were ready to race. It was a special moment that we share with our team mates before the challenges of the Championships.

Giving it a go - 2013 Auroras - Gyor (Sat 20 Jul 2013)

On Fear (2 of 2) - Spencer Lum / Ground Glass

Joanne and Geoff - Szeged / Hungary (Mon 29 Jul 2013)
Spencer Lum (*) writes On Fear (*):

When you live in the first person, you’ll experience fear and hesitation and that feeling in the pit of your stomach that you will not measure up. But for that, you will rip through the barriers that separate you from your future self. The one who exists on the other side, who has done what you wanted, knows what you wanted, and experienced what you wanted.

You will recover your dreams, you will recover yourself, you’ll take the hits, but as Sinatra said, you’ll know you did it your way.

So if you look at your own work, and you’re afraid to show it. If you look at your own self, and you’ve kept it walled off, don’t hold it back, don’t keep it safe. Don’t let it wither without seeing the light of day. Let it into the wild, and see what takes place. Your life is waiting.

Because the question is not whether fear is too high a price to pay. The question is whether fear is too much to give up.

via Multiple | Ground Glass (*) by Spencer Lum (*).

On Fear (1 of 2) - Spencer Lum / Ground Glass

Untitled - Split / Croatia (Tue 30 Jul 2013)
Spencer Lum (*) writes On Fear (*):

Fear is a dark and menacing thing. It lurks in the shadows of our minds. Always hard to find, always waiting in the wings, never quite gone, never quite there.

But I’ll take it over security, any day.

Security is worse.

Fear accompanies all great things. It’s there in progress, change, and growth. It’s there when you shed your own skin. It’s there when you let yourself to become more.

You don’t own fear by forgetting it. Security is not fear vanquished. Security is settling for less.

Let fear be your guide. You fear when you care. You fear when you want. Really want.

Fear doesn’t tell you what to run from. Fear tells you what to run to. There is no fear that accompanies the unimportant. It is the most clear and vital indicator that something actually matters. [..]

via Multiple | Ground Glass (*) by Spencer Lum (*).

As always, thanks Spencer (*). You always make it so clear, and again have helped me make a decision (*). So it's time to start building up. Let all the risk taking (*) begin yet again.

2013 Senior B Australian Dragon Boat Squad - Auruoas Team Dinner - Gyor / Hungary (Sun 21 Aug 2013)

2013 Senior B Australian Dragon Boat Squad - Auruoas Team Dinner - Gyor / Hungary (Sun 21 Aug 2013)
The team:

Sue Beith, Loretta Lewis, Blair Gamble, Serghei Cucsa, Alfred Pawlicki, Alison Mourant, Andrea Trappes, Anita Riikonen, Annie Richardson, Brett Bartholomew, Carmen Que, Chris Rathbone, Dave Brugioni, Deb Hirst, Denise Sundercombe, Desma Smith, Dianne Coyle, Emiliia McDonald, Fran White, Gail Richardson, Geoff Eldridge, George Dimech, Gordon Waycott, Jennifer Brown, Jennifer Reilly, Jo Petterson, John Grech, Kaizer Austin, Linda Robinson, Lyn Payne, Lynne Pearson, Lynne Richardson, Marco Celenza, Martin Hirst, Martin Turner, Maryanne Picker, Michael Higginson, Michele Moroney, Paul Langley, Peter Teichmann, Pia Mitchell, Robyn Woollcott, Steve Clinch, Steve Clinch, Susan Pidgeon, Zillah Dunton

Thank you all, it was an amazing experience and I have so many fond memories from the campaign (*).

The Pacific Dragons 2013 Inspire Award in the Memory of Jenny Petterson - Glebe/Sydney and Dubrovnik/Croatia (Sat 03 Aug 2013)

Jenny - Suzhou / China (Tue 16 Nov 2004) Petar Hektorovic (*) - Tvrdalj Fortress (*) / Stari Grad (*) / Hvar (*) (Wed 31 Jul 2013)
First, a thank you..

Here we are in Dubrovnik.

Croatia, is just beautiful and the highlight has been a small courtyard in the small Fortress of the 16th Century Croatian Poet, Petar Hektorovic, in the tiny town of Stari Grad on the Island of Hvar, two hours by Ferry out of Split. Jo and I spread some of Jenny's ashes there and it was one of the most peaceful places (*) I have experienced and his words (*) seem quite relevant and profound.

We feel privileged and lucky to have the ability to make and have these experiences.

Caitlin, Lisa, Jo, Kaizer and myself have just competed at the 11th World DB Champs with the 2013 Australian Auroras Squad. It was a great event and we have some amazing memories.

The Hungarians have shown the world how to host a modern World Dragon Boat Championships, which have become carnival like because of their size.

It was also great to paddle on a course so rich in paddling history.

The highlight of the championships for me was watching Jo, carry the Australian Flag and leading the whole Australian Squad at the Opening Ceremony.

Joanne, Jenny would be so proud of you as we all are. A tribute (*) to Joanne and those those have supported her in paddling and life will follow the presentation.

On behalf of Caitlin, Lisa, Jo, Kaizer and myself, we thank you all for supporting us in paddling and life. Pacific Dragons provides the home and base which nurtures us as paddlers and people.

A little about Jenny now ..

Jenny said to me towards the end, when the destination of her disease became more real, that she would miss the travel adventures with us - no doubt in travels and in life.

It is just over 4 years ago that she said those words and it would be a few short months later she left this world.

She did not feel sorry for herself in saying those words. She always had a strong sense of reality about her life, her cancer and her purpose in life.

This was one of the inspiring traits I would take from her and one we can all take from her as we face the uncertainties which will become the certainties of our lives.

When she did die, I had already decided that I should live on in her "Afterglow". This was much easier to say than do and for a long time I thought my life purpose had been served and honoured.

Those early days were the hardest of my life and it would take a long time to find my confidence, to start living my life again. That there was a purpose. All I could really do was paddle. In some ways, it was during those days I found myself.

Jenny loved travel, a globe and atlas and it was no surprise that geography was her favourite class. Had she been born in earlier times, she would have a been great explorer - and without doubt, Captain Petterson, as I would call her, would have been an important name in our history books and classes, along with Columbus and Cook.

So, whenever we decided to travel, she was also the navigator, along with Jo, of course. With a sheet of paper and pen in hand, they would thumb through the atlas and rotate the globe charting our path and planning our itinerary.

Croatia was Jenny's choice for our Europe 2009 trip following the World DB Champs in Prague. However, she would not make it here, passing away 9 weeks before the Worlds.

We did not travel to Croatia in 2009. In the haze of grief and bereavement, I can't remember why now.

So for this 2013 Hungary Campaign, we decided that Croatia would be our first stop, in order to honour Jenny's wishes.

As it is with everything now, I feel a sense of guilt that I am alive and experiencing life and Jenny is not. That I am experiencing this trip, Szeged and in particular the Croatian coast and our current port Dubrovnik.

However, these feelings of guilt are balanced with the thought that she inspires us to continue our lives to the full, including creating these experiences. It is what she would want us to do.

Maybe in some ways I feel that when we meet again, I can tell her all the great things we have done.

So while there are feelings of guilt, I balance them with those of inspiration, intention, innocence, naviety and awe. In this way, a perspective on life can be found and along with a sense of empathy, it can give your life a solid foundation even during the toughest moments.

I talk about this because I have come to realise that others have or will have these moments and this is just one way, my way at least, to respond. This is life.

So to the 2013 Inspire Award ..

A common word used in all the presentations over years is the word "Belief". It seems to pop up all the time.

Last year I spoke a little about belief, in the sense that inspiring people seem to have a belief in themselves - we call it self-belief.

So I started to think about where does self belief come from?

I would find an answer a month after, via a blog post by Spencer Lum, a New York based wedding photographer, of all people. His words made it crystal clear to me. He wrote:

[..] if you’re willing to take a gamble, I’ll bet on you. If you’re willing to put it out there, if you’re willing to fail, if you’re willing to let go of it all, thumb your nose at the world, and do it your way, I’ll believe in you. [..]

"I’ll believe in you." Spencer wrote. There it was. The answer was so simple - self belief first comes from others who believe in you.

Often it takes some time to have the confidence to believe in one self. Initially, more often than not, the belief comes from others. Those who support and love you for who you are.

It is only with time, experience and the support of those others who believe in you, that you can find your own self belief and you start say things to yourself like

• yes, I can do that,


• you start finding reasons why you can, rather than you can't, and


• when you question yourself with "why?", you are able to say "well ,why not!"

It is then that things start to happen.

As time goes by, you become stronger, more independent and not afraid to give things a go, even if it means making mistakes and / or failing. You know that the risk is worth the reward of at least trying, whatever the outcome.

So what does this have to do with the 2013 Inspire Award?

The recipient of this award realised her own self-belief this year, initially through the support of her coaches and those that have paddled with her since joining the club.

Something happened this year for her. She had been making changes and steady improvements over the years, but she realised she needed to start believing in herself. It was a natural progression.

I was lucky enough to sit next her one week night dragon boat training session going into CNY. She trained strongly and between sets we chatted briefly. She told me that she needed to start believing in herself and that she was almost there. I was impressed. This is the stuff I had been thinking about.

The next weekend she made this very visible to her coaches, paddling buddies and most importantly, herself, by performing a stunning 4km OC1 time trial out of Dobroyd Point. This was the turning point, the starting point to self belief.

It was fantastic to witness that very moment.

I have seen it time and time again in our club. Coaches and others believing, paddlers changing and then suddenly something remarkable happens. They start believing in themselves. It is the great thing about our club and it is what I love about PDs.

So the 5th and 2013 recipient of the Inspire Award in the Memory of Jenny Petterson is Cath Gale.

A big congratulations to you Cath from Jo and myself. You are an inspiration.

Have a great night all. We will be thinking of you all and we look forward to getting back into it all on our return in late August.
Water - Courtyard Pond - Petar Hektorovic (*) - Tvrdalj Fortress (*) / Stari Grad (*) / Hvar (*) (Wed 31 Jul 2013) Incriptions - Petar Hektorovic (*) - Tvrdalj Fortress (*) / Stari Grad (*) / Hvar (*) (Wed 31 Jul 2013)

2013 Auroras Flag Bearer Speech - Joanne Petterson - Australian Team Dinner / Gyor / Hungary (Sun 21 Jul 2013)

Introducing Joanne Petterson: Your 2013 Auroras Flag Bearer
A Tribute to Joanne and all those who have supported her in paddling and life - Love Geoff (*)
Gyor / Hungary (Sun 21 Jul 2013)
I would just like to say how honoured and proud I am to be representing you as the Australian Flag Bearer.

I love this sport and am very passionate about it and have been fortunate to witness many opening ceremonies and I still can't believe I have been given this honour to carry the flag.

I have been involved in the Australian squads since 2003 and have been fortunate enough to have been included in many great teams and squads, and have met many wonderful people over the years.

Each Aus Sqaud experience has been memorable for all different reasons and we are now making more memories together which we will reminisce over for years to come.

I have loved this time in Gyor and it was so nice to see how good all the divisions looked on the water and how each of the divisions supported each other.

We have all trained hard and put in a lot of work and we are now ready to face the rest of the world, so what is important now is what goes on in your head.

Some things I have learnt over the years are:

1. Trust and believe in yourself, your team mates, coaches and managers knowing we have done everything required.

2. Work together as a team and a squad on and off the water and support each other.

3. Go hard and don't hold back.

4. Focus on doing your best possible race rather than focusing on the result.

5. Be positive and be brave - you can go harder than you thought was possible and your body will be able to do it.

From my experience, I have seen it time and time again, not just in paddling but in life, keep a positive attitude even when things become tougher than you could possibly imagine, as anything is possible.

I know this to be true and I have witnessed many great moments in this sport and through that have realised as the German crew said to us after a Final at the 2009 World Championships "you made the impossible, possible".

I often remember a comment one of my coaches said as we huddled together in a circle after our last race together at the 2009 World Championships. He said "look around at each of your team mates, this will be the last time this team will race together". So saviour the moment.

I'd like to wish everyone well in Szeged, go hard, be strong both physically and mentally, be brave, but most of all have fun, these are all memories we are making together which will last a lifetime.

Introducing Joanne Petterson: Your 2013 Auroras Flag Bearer / YouTube - Gyor / Hungary (Sun 21 Jul 2013)

Introducing Joanne Petterson: Your 2013 Auroras Flag Bearer - YouTube (*) Gyor / Hungary (Sun 21 Jul 2013)
A tribute to Joanne and those that have shared her journey over the last 13 years in paddling and in life.

The song, Holy Grail by Hunters and Collectors is a personal favourite of Joanne's and I think it goes back to her first campaign - Poznan 2003. She would also choose it as her song contribution to the Tampa 2011 Senior A warmup / motivational CD compilation.

I hope you like it Joanne.

It was fun trying to sequence the photos with the lyrics - I hope I have not been too literal. All done on the road with final touches were made on the 80 min train trip from Budapest to Gyor (lucky i got that seat by myself) using an iMovie on an iPad mini - incredible really

These photos have taken right across Joanne's experiences in paddling and across the World. I was unable to title the photos, some places include Shanghai, Qingpu, Busan, Wujin, Macau, Hong Kong, Scotland, Sydney, Canberra, Kyoto, Berlin, Prague, Kawana, Cairns plus lots more.

I will change the cover photo of the YouTube video to that of the first photo in Kyoto when I get back to Sydney. This is the one YouTube automatically selected on upload.

It has been an honour to share these moments and memories with you and I know Jenny and your Parents would be so proud of you.

Go Joanne and Go the Auroras.

Auroras 2013 - Bank St / Sydney (Sun 07 Jul 2013

Auroras 2013 (1 of 3) - Bank St / Sydney (Sun 07 Jul 2013)
Auroras 2013 (2 of 3) - Senior B's - Bank St / Sydney (Sun 07 Jul 2013)Auroras 2013 (3 of 3) - Pacific Dragons - Bank St / Sydney (Sun 07 Jul 2013)
A beautiful sunny Sunday for our last Sunday training session here in Sydney. A bit cool under the Anzac Bridge before the session, but a cobalt blue sky for our session.

Thanks everyone. It has been a great campaign thus far. Safe travels and all the best for what it is about to unfold in Hungary.

Note to self. At this point in time I am reminded of this great little observation by Spencer Lum (*) from here (*):

The 90% point is deceptive. It feels like you’re nearly there. But you’re really just getting started. And if you don’t make the big push right then and there, you’re not doing the things you need to do to learn what you are really all about. It’s in the final 10% that all the good stuff happens.

On Toughness - Carl Valle (Fri 05 Jul 2013)

Gerald - Slug / Leichardt (Wed 02 Jul 2013)
Carl Valle (*) writes On Toughness (*):

the mental (*) component of what is toughness (*) is something of a debate.

The ability (*) to get up and do another is sometimes more valuable than elaborate periodisation.

Pushing the body is a balance, and nobody knows the outcome until the most important meet.

via Unwritten History of David Hemery (*) by Carl Valle (*).

Been doing a bit of pushing lately at training - lots of repeat efforts - 200's, 500's, 1000m and 2k's. Love it because it is different for me and because of the insights mentioned above.

Once upon a time ..

Once upon a time - YouTube (*) (Sat 30 Aug 2009)
Hard to watch in so many ways, but I am glad that this moment in time in our lives was captured. It was just short of 10 weeks since Jenny died. Everything was so raw back then and it makes you realise how far we have come since those moments in Racice.

On Passion, Committment, Control and Ability - The Gerro Factor - The Advertiser / Reece Homfray (Wed 03 Jul 2013)

Joanne and Jenny – 2004 IDBF Worlds 500m Premier Mixed Podium - Qingpu / Shanghai (Fri 22 Oct 2004)
Dave Sanders (*) talks about Simon Gerrans (*) and the The Gerro Factor where words like passion (*), committment (*), control (*) and ability (*) are used:

If you’ve got that passion and commitment – we now call it the Gerro Factor – if a kid’s got the Gerro Factor he’ll get somewhere.

Dave expands:

Simon doesn’t have to be gifted to do what he does, he just does everything he can control to the best of his ability. Which is train right, eat right, sleep right, recover right - they’re the things he can control.

via Simon Gerrans' coach tells of how Tour de France leader's amazing work ethic led to yellow jersey (*) by Reece Homfray (*).

Remembering Jenny - IDBF World Championships / Qingpu / China (Oct 2004)

Jenny and Joanne - IDBF World Championships / Qingpu / China (Oct 2004)
Four years ago just now. We remember you, Jenny (*). You are always there for us as you guide and inspire us from above.

Joanne and Geoff - 2013 AusDBF National Championships / Penrith (Thu 18 Apr 2013)
Joanne, she would be so proud of you and what you have achieved these last four years. It's been tough, tougher than most people could imagine. Just like Jenny, you are an inspiration and I look forward to seeing you carry the Australian Flag in Szeged (*) on Tue 23 Jul 2013. Go Joanne!!!

On Calm and Focus - Adam van Koeverden (Mon 07 May 2012)

my fingers are calm and gentle on the paddle - Adam van Koeverden (*)
Adam van Koeverden (*) writes on Calm (*) and Focus (*):

Kayaking for me demands a very nice balance between calmness (*) and focus (*).

It's funny, because you are super calm and focused, at the same time there is a lot going on in your body.

Things are starting to break down and hurt.

At the same time my fingers are calm and gentle on the paddle.

It's pretty meditative.

via On Giving Your Everything - Adam van Koeverden / YouTube (*).

On Giving Your Everything - Adam van Koeverden / YouTube (*) (Mon 07 May 2012)

A Team is a Powerful Thing - Darren Lehmann / The Australian (Wed 26 Jun 2013)

Senior A Mixed 500m Final - Racice / Prague (Sat 29 Aug 2013)
Darren Lehmann (*) writes (*):

Sure, you are playing a professional sport and you want to be a success. But life is more important than any game or any sport. I'm really big on getting closer as a Bulls group - we are almost like a family - and we want to look after each other outside the game, not just within the game. I've told the players they can't leave the ground for at least an hour after play. We talk about a whole heap of things - it might be cricket but it might be something else. There were some players who used to leave within five minutes. It works well; we all just enjoy each other's company and that is probably the best thing we have got going.

via Headmaster of mateship (*) by Will Swanton (*).

As my Nephew, Thomas (*), told me when he was all of the age of three,

A Team is a Powerful Thing

Always make me laugh when I think of that. The wisdom of a three year old.

I have been involved in team sports all my life, so being and working together (*) is an important. It is something that everyone needs to recognise and work towards. Darren's approach of spending time together after play is one way, though I am sure there are more ways. It depends on the team (*).

Senior Mixed 500m Final Post Race Discussion - Prague (Sat 29 Aug 2009) (*)

On Mastery Motivation - Drew Ginn (Fri 7 Jun 2013)

Water - St Agnes / Cornwall (09 Sep 2009)
Drew Ginn (*) writes On Mastery Motivation (*):

Deep down I always wanted a greater connection and loved to explore. This happened in many areas.

Exploring thought process, movement patterns, biases, relationships, failure and obvious exploring success.

I really stuffed up more than I care to remember. Many mistake were made and the surprise is that I kept at it when many others gave up, left, changed their plans.

I stayed the course, and in one sense it was just the course, which probably was unclear to others yet, I knew I was seeking a better way, greater, intending (*) and learning (*).

Mastery (*) then is key I think as its takes the performance from simply doing and achieving or not to becoming more aware, intending (*), taking action, making mistakes (*) and making it count, and reviews (*).

Mastery (*) dare I say it is a journey and never the destination.

It’s the joy in striving for perfection, the working towards the best, to be the best and yet the result is not just best but a newer version or a reshaping of things.

Strange how I can see all that striving was the best part and when I watch other not full enjoying the striving I find myself wondering how I can assist in the unearthing of the mind shift from result to mastery seeking.

Sure I get the need to get the results and after having a few results fall my way its easier to state these words.

What I realise is that some time ago just learning (*) become the many motive

via A Wanderers Update (*) by Drew Ginn (*).

People ask me why I keep paddling? Why put myself through it all, over and over again. I've been fortunate and have experienced it all - the highs and the lows. Maybe it is like Alex with his photography (*), but maybe it is what Drew writes about so well here?