Beauty In Nightmares
Well, it happened. I had my first bad day on the race. It began in my dreams the night before. A particular dream brought up some emotion in me I wasn’t expecting to have this early on in the race. Naturally, I did what most people do and brought my frustrated attitude with me to everything I did that day. I woke up on the wrong side of the bed as some would say.
One of my tasks for the day was to help finish building the chicken pin. Now, I’m not the best builder, but I’ve worked in a pet cemetery (family business) every summer since I can remember. So, I’m definitely not a dummy when it comes to at least some “manly stuff.” I don’t know if it was the tools (or lack thereof around here) or if it was me, but I couldn’t hammer a single nail into a single piece of bamboo to save my life. Attempt after attempt only made me feel like less of a man, and angered my already declining attitude. I didn’t quit and worked fairly hard, but just felt like all my effort was of no help.
Lunchtime came and by this point I think I would have found great pleasure in punching someone. I know what you’re thinking. This guy is a natural missionary. Anyways, this is where beauty in chaos can happen. I had told one of my teammates, Bryce, about the dream earlier that morning. He knew I was having a rough day, and after lunch demanded that I take a break. He said we’re watching a movie. I didn’t ask him to do any of this, and initially hesitated. Except, he knew I loved movies. I gave in and I laid on my bunk bed, and he on the floor. We watched the rest of Dallas Buyer’s Club (which I purchased for roughly 50 cents at the “mall”) on my laptop. It’s the little things that don’t seem that important that can completely change your outlook on life, or at least on a bad day.
And you know what happened? The rest of my bad day wasn’t so bad. I was surrounded by people who loved me and cared enough about my feelings to ask how I was. Community. It’s a beautiful thing when done right. What started out as a nightmare turned into a daydream.
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