When I don't want to learn ...

When I don't want to think about or discover what I could learn from the present moment - that I can be kind or patient longer, find more goodness and depth in other people, find in myself new ways to contribute, find beauty in new places, or find renewed joy - is it because my self care demands rest?  Or is it because I'm feeling self-righteousness or lazy?

Spirit and sport

To me, sports have a spiritual dimension.  Living Life in the moment; forming and changing aspirations; finding the motivation to train, to do the hard work of growth; facing one's limits - and seeing them change; finding, cultivating, and learning to trust instincts; building connections with teammates, coaches, even adversaries; cultivating responsibility for one's choices and mistakes; discovering, if one is lucky, mystery; cultivating gratitude; accepting one's results, elating or disappointing - and doing it all again and again. I suspect these spiritual moments are common in all seriously pursued sports.

My favorite sport is sculling. Being present - including attention to balance, technique, steering, and care of self and boat - are key.  Technique is much aided by training, by muscle memory. You try to avoid mistakes - but you learn from those, too.  Rest is important: overdoing training is counter-productive.  And, no matter your pace, the boat's wake and the bubbles from the oars' puddles are soon gone.  But growth remains.  And joy and gratitude, if you pay attention to the blessings of health, the beauty of one’s surroundings - the sky, the water, the trees and and clouds – and the freedom to be part of it all.