Just put your head down and do it!

I recently attended a competition at my gym. By attending I mean I simply watched and volunteered. The CrossFit competition was called the "Grit Games" which explains how grueling it was. The competitors were in a zone and did their absolute best to finish what they had started. The competition was a timed event and as they neared the end of their time and the tank appeared to be empty, they just put their head down and did it. Not one single person quit, that was not an option.  

Waves of Hope recently had a practice day which started in the morning. We got in the boat, and there were a few more waves than usual, so the decision was made to paddle to the other side of the lake, where it was calmer. It is moments like that where I am in absolute awe. The steersperson is in position at the back of the boat calling the shots. The coach has her voice turned up. The long-time paddlers are set and ready to go. I have to say one more time, I have the utmost respect for the long-time paddlers, they make it look so easy. When they are in the boat, everyone knows, just follow their lead. Off we go for the other side of the lake. Because it was a bit wavy the water hit our paddles spraying everywhere. I was not expecting to be very wet in a what I describe as in a "nano second". I reminded myself this is a water sport, and you are going to get wet. We never missed a stride, we had our heads down and we were doing it. The shore seemed to never come and as exhaustion was setting in the captain says, "dig deep everyone, we are almost there". Once we got there, I felt so exhilarated. I felt like I was on the high seas and not Minnedosa Lake, it was a powerful feeling. 

There are so many times that people put their heads down and do it. We have all had experiences that we describe as "the hardest thing I have ever had to do". Somehow, we do them, we just find it within us to do what has to be done. 

When I attend a funeral, there is that moment when "the family" are coming in. I will often see either they have their head held high and focused on what they have to do, or they have their head down and just moving through the whole process. 

                                         

That must be what it is like for those that are receiving chemo. I have watched from afar and although everyone seems basically happy at Cancer Care, putting their head down must have happened at some point in time. Everyone arrives with their chemo bag with the necessary things they need for the time spent there. They usually have someone sitting with them as they get their infusion. For many, they are just starting to feel human again after the last treatment and now they are back, to do it all over again. I feel this is a true demonstration of a warrior, they are in a fight for their life, and they are just doing what has to be done.

It seems that when you are in a situation that requires grit, hard work, focus, and possibly heartbreak, there is very little said. Everyone has an individual response at those moments. For the times where we have a choice such as a grit game or paddling, it is a personal choice to do what we need to do for ourselves. For the times with no choice, there is an understanding that seems to guide us, "put your head down and just do it".