Vivienne, An Archer

 

This week was unexpectedly stressful, but not in the ways you might think. To cope with the unexpected grief of losing a family friend, I visited the archery range. It helps to have a physical activity that forces you to think about something else. I wasn't so concerned with hitting the yellow circle, but I needed the repetition of drawing and nocking an arrow, pulling back, aiming, and trying not to release too quickly.

And yet, I still counted every arrow that landed in the yellow circle. I don't remember what the final count was, but what felt best was when I could put another arrow right where I wanted, right after the first one to hit where I wanted.

Writing isn't too different. I keep putting words down, not sure if I'll keep many words, but knowing that at least some, for this draft, hit the mark, mean what I want them to, and sound right. Life is so complicated, but archery tends to simplify things in the best way possible. 

If at first you don't succeed, just shoot another arrow.