Transitions in "passions": Good thing / bad thing? Or continuing to explore and experience?

Outside the cabin: Ready to go, first thing tomorrow morning!

A friend and blog reader asked in an email recently, "Are you losing your passion for sea kayaking?" I responded. "No. Why do you ask?" "Fewer posts on the subject this year.", he replied. After some thought, I discerned that he was, indeed, correct. There have been fewer posts and, according to my daily journal, we've launched fewer times in 2013 than in past years.

So, are we less passionate about being on the water? No, I don't think so. As I write this, the boats are on the roof of the High Mobility Kayak Transport Vehicle, here at the cabin on Gabriola, and ready to launch first thing tomorrow morning. And really looking forward to that.

And it was, indeed, a nice paddle around the "Flat Tops".
(Photo added the next day)

In these "re-configured" and less-than-full-time days, we have rediscovered some old passions and found some new ones. Cycling is one. The bikes, bought in 2006, have spent most of the time in the garage...waiting. We were too busy. This past year, however, we try to get out three or four early mornings a week to ride the route from "base camp" to Genoa Bay - lots of nice hills that get the heart pumping on the way up and a quick ride on the way down.

Dreaming...

We both seem to get a ridiculous thrill these days, pouring over UK Ordnance Survey (topographical) maps, imagining the hills and glens, the paths and trails, and the lonely cairns that await exploration in Scotland and northern England in the very near future. Always wanted to hike and properly navigate with a map and compass. Again, always too busy in the past to get around to it.

The nasty achilles injury that has plagued for almost two years has now fully recovered - thanks to the treadmill, the iPod, and some (rare) common sense. (Been in this body for over 63 years and still learning that common sense trumps enthusiasm sometimes!) The right knee, that for six months had taken a lot of the fun out of trail running, is also significantly better. I'm positive that cycling has provided the exact kind of cross-training that was required. "Motion is lotion", the stiffness has gone and the full range of movement has returned. So we are running again, sensibly.

Lost some passion for kayaking? No. We're just finding that it has to take its place amongst some other passions. It's all part of the healthy and ongoing transitions that I truly believe our lives need to undergo to ensure we continue to explore and experience and discover new sources of meaning.

If this blog had suddenly morphed from a focus on paddling and self-propelled movement into "25 Ways to Improve Your Poker Game", my friend would have had reason for serious concern. So would Joan!

Everything is fine. There is balance. As the old philosopher said, "to everything there is a season". And most seasons can accommodate a wonderful variety of invigorating and health-filled activities that ensure we all continue to explore and experience - and grow. And variety is, indeed, a very spicy component to life!

At least, that's how I see it.

Short cut through Silva Bay marina.

A perfect paddling day on Canada's "left" coast.

We always appreciate you coming by.

Duncan.