Good As Gold

Travel, Sister, Travel, Painting, Travel, Family, Travel (uh oh more travel), home, emails, Olympics

The title is a sweet summary of my last eight weeks! The only thing really missing is all of the love and hugs and wonder shared with friends and family.

Last time I wrote was at the Before Painting week in early July where I wondered what it would be like for me, a non-painter to have the opportunity to paint seven days in a row.

So, let's get to that, because so many of you replied to me about this. Turns out you like "before" alot.

Short story, Becky discovered she loves to paint. 

At some deeper level I knew there was an old childhood story of not being "good at drawing/painting", but I didn't realise how strong it was until I was invited to lean into it... and paint. I know this might not make any sense at all, but I'll try, because I discovered something. 

Applying colour to a canvas is an act of courage.

I spent three days feeling so uncomfortable. Like REALLY? WHAT am I doing here?

Then, on a canvas that was intimidating to me for size and blankness, I put the colours of dark green and turquoise (self blended, because I think my favourite part was making up colours from base colours!) onto a one metre square white canvas. I listened to my body, and heart, and moved. 

And then, I wasn't breathing, and time rolled by, and there was something where before there was nothing. I got to witness soul expression. The body moved clearly, knowing where to allow and where to shape. Each day was a further unfolding of enthusiasm, then doubt, recovery to willingness, and ultimately contentment.

My way homeward, found me sleeping beside the rolled paint canvases on the floor of an aged airport in the states, alongside hundreds of others snagged by the computer update that failed. Cancellations, re-routes, delays, missed flights and 60 hours later, arriving back home to my family in NZ. My bag took a week longer to make it's way to me in NZ- if only it could tell a story of it's own adventure homeward.  

I was stunned. Timezones and body fatigue took days to shake. Lovely thing those Olympics. They helped me integrate the travel Becky with NZ Becky. I watched a bit of competitions every day, at any time of day. Almost other-worldly last week, and much more settled this week.

We sponsor athletes who are competing even as I write this. Erica Dawson, sailing Nacra 17 with Micah Wilkinson in the Finals in just a few hours. And Alicia Hoskin, paddling K2 with 5 time Olympian Lisa Carrington, and K4 with the NZ team.

Both Erica and Alicia have been using Goodbye products since we started the Outdoor Inspiration Team in 2019. Erica loves the sunscreen. For Alicia, manuka balm is her "go to".  It's been a real delight to be part of their journey and efforts.

I think what I'm getting from the Olympics this time is the storytelling. We engage with the stories and the effort because they mirror our lives. It's the best of reality programming. We are all living olympic lives, whether it's raising a family, taking care of a parent, finishing a degree or showing up to a job that serves. Our lives encourage all the things that the Olympians show us: courage, willingness, belonging, endurance, goodwill, patience, and in precious moments, euphoria. 

The Olympics is us. It is desire and focus, pressure and snap decision making, the community of support, the wins, the losses and acceptance regardless of the outcome on a particular day. 

You are

Good as Gold

This is my favourite Kiwi sayings by the way. One that my American heritage does not have an equivalent for. When I hear it, I smile.

With love, from Becky (who paints!)