Stumbling, getting up, and keeping hopes up…

Well, all good intentions aside, I have failed to post regular updates about the building of Resilience. So… here’s the update.

IT’S DONE!

Well, the boat is finished being built, but really building my personal resilience is not done, nor do I think it will ever truly be “done”. That being said, I have been learning important lessons along the way, and I have also learned that even building the boat is never really “done” either. For instance, the paint has bubbled in some places, so I will need to sand and repaint those spots, and the varnish blistered on the floor of the boat, so I will need to sand and re-varnish. sigh

I have officially had three test runs in the boat, one rowing, two sailing. I have a lot to learn about both! For instance, how the heck do I keep the oar locks in place when I row? How do I keep an eye on where I am going downriver when I am all alone in the boat? Do I need to remove the rudder when the wind is down and I am focused on rowing? How hard will it be to put the rudder on and off when I am in the boat in the middle of the river? Will the rudder even hold up against the current of the mighty Mississippi?!

You get the point, and that’s just some of my ROWING questions. I have a lot more to learn about sailing.

That being said, despite my mistakes, construction goofs, and lack of knowledge, I am feeling more confident each day that I can at least make the most of this journey.

The biggest and scariest question I have lurking in the back of my mind at all time is this… When I am on the Mississippi, will I actually be able to get to the Gulf in 30 days or less?

To pull that off, even when I am starting in Minneapolis (not the headwaters), I will have to travel between 50 and 60 miles every single day. I don’t even know if that is possible. At least I don’t know if that is possible for me.

I imagine I will be pulling some long days, late nights, and getting run pretty ragged. I have to get into good physical shape, but I also have to keep doing my day job and taking care of my family.

Exercising for a long endurance challenge like this one takes time, effort, and willpower.

Time I am limited in, I have no problems putting in strong effort, but will power… well, that one is tough for me sometimes. Especially when I have worked a 9-hour day, I come home, get the kids in bed by 9 pm, and then it’s time to exercise. Not my favorite… and I am sad to admit that many times I end up eating a rice pudding and watching a K-drama with my wife.

Early mornings are somewhat better, I do get up early to help get my oldest daughter to her early morning seminary class for church, and then I can usually go for a long walk with a wighted vest, or if I’m luck and the youngest two girls are not up playing legos where I exercise, I get in some weight lifting before I have to pick up my oldest again and head to work for the day.

During my day I have the hardest time getting up and moving for no other reason than I get paralyzed by ADHD motivation hurdles. I get bored easily and it’s hard to get up and go row, or walk for an hour or more.

I can do it, and I do manage to exercise at least 4 or 5 days… cough… ok 3 or 4 days… well I do exercise every week at least once., and I am getting better.

It turns out building willpower to engage in a routine like daily exercise is tough, and it’s a very important component of resilience.

So the next time you have trouble getting out of bed to go for a walk. Take a deep breath. Don’t snooze your alarm; just get up and do anything. Walk a few feet, and the will to keep pressing on will grow. It is for me.

And remember, I am cheering for you too. It’s hard to be resilient sometimes, but you can do it! I believe in you.