Everyone knows the old saying; a duck may seem calm on the surface, underneath, its little feet are paddling (to beat heck) to get where it’s going. This is a great analogy for my life lately. I am just paddling, like that duck, through some rougher waters right now. I’m sure most people can relate to this from some time in their lives. Yet, I still feel lucky.
This reminds me of the time when Adventure Sister Stacy and I were camping in the BWCA and a lone duck crashed our campsite. She waddled up, cool as a cucumber, like was one of the girls. The duck roamed around the whole campsite, circling us as we ate our lunch. This duck was brave and unafraid as she went about her business of foraging for her lunch of blueberries at our site.
Stacy and I found amusement in this duck’s visit. We decided we would name her fertile Myrtle, the duck. It was also the year we decided we would write a book together. We took Myrtle the duck’s brave appearance, as a sign to do the same and be brave. We had been talking about writing separately but neither of us had gotten beyond the comfort zone of journaling. We needed confidence to put our words out there for the world to read.
So, we decided that we could support each other better if we did it together. And we did. Five years and three books later, we are still at it, paddling like crazy under the surface to get where we want to go. Where do we want to go?! Everywhere. We are called the Adventure Sisters for a reason, you know!
We love adventure. We love to challenge ourselves to level up and do more than we think we can, because we can. We want to publish our books to help others be motivated. We want to encourage others to get out there and make their dreams happen. We want to push ourselves to experience the best life we possibly can.
The Adventure Sisters have a dream to inspire others to get up off the couch and out of their comfort zone; to experience the life we were meant to live! During these years we have since inspired each other in many ways. Without Stacy urging me to use my political knowledge and sassy attitude to run for office, I would not have had the chance to protect the environment I love so deeply. Without Stacy’s current career path, she would probably not have the opportunity to travel as far and wide as she has been able too! I believe our lives are divinely guided for a reason.
Without the support of each other, we probably would not have written our books or started these blogs and the Adventure Sisters Facebook page. Sometimes we struggle with getting everything done. Sometimes I worry about my political efforts taking away from our dream to get our books published. Yet I believe the two are intrinsically connected. I believe by writing my life experience of this political adventure, maybe others will be inspired to run and stand up for what they believe also.
I believe that successful people don’t get to be successful by surfing the internet or staying in their comfort zones. I believe that if you keep working toward your goals, that eventually, you will get there!
I feel that persistence and dedication to your goals is the key to success. If I don’t give up, I will keep moving toward the finish line and get there… eventually. Somedays the momentum and dedication my dreams and goals require are frustrating, hard and even feel futile when I hit a bump, barrier or detour. It would be so nice if my path to success were a flat portage with minimal baggage, but it’s not looking like that is the path for me!
Somedays I whistle while I work and other days I am ready to go back to bed before I even wake up. Those are the days I feel like the duck, calm on the surface but making minimal progress in the direction I wish to go, no matter how hard my feet paddle. This is part of life. Maybe it’s even a test from the Universe to see if I really want what I think I do?
Maybe it is taking me so long to reach some of my goals, so I will appreciate them that much more? Deep down I know once I reach my aspirations, I get to set more goals and go on more adventures.
When I met my husband I remember telling him, “It took me so long to find you! I am not going to let you go!” I felt like a lucky duck when we met. Maybe that is the point of the difficulty in our journey of life? Without the struggle to get where you’re going; you may not appreciate it as you should once you do get there?
So, until then, I am going to keep on paddling in the direction of my dreams and goals. What would I be doing if I weren’t headed in that direction? I would be stuck in the backyard pond of life, going in circles and where is the adventure in that?!
Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister
@EmyforHouse15A
Follow the Adventure Sisters on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/BWCAdventureSisters
Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister
Emy Minzel 