Life Lessons from Kayaking, FGCL'22 - A Canadian Canoe, Nova Scotia, Canada

Playing Kayaking in the Atlantic Lake, Nova Scotia, Canada was my first-time experience

Our facilitator from CoadyStFX, Dr. Robin Neustaeter invited us to spend the early evening Monday with her and friends and also with Alexi Rodriguez who was our kayak guide/ expert coach. They’ve recently taken up kayaking and were keen for us to give it a go in a Canadian canoe. It was a beautiful early evening; the beautiful Atlantic Lake was alive with birdsong and the sunset was down soon. As we paddled along the Atlantic Lake, I felt at peace listening to the splish splash of the paddle hitting the water and gentle lapping at the side of the canoe as we floated and surged forward. This was my first experience of canoeing and within minutes the muscles in my upper arms were burning in protest. It turns out paddling is hard work and I was unprepared for it but suddenly my coach taught me how to manage them well with the best technique then I felt everything was under control because I know when to paddle - when to wait - to move and to back.

Life lesson:

Learn from the Expert and challenge yourself at your own pace

Although I don't have any basic swimming skills, I was excited to have this adventure which at the same time made me paranoid if something bad happens in the middle of the line. We know that this feeling is normal like all kinds of human feelings. Fortunately, I can manage my paranoia well. Too much overthinking in my head was gone also at the same time when I realized that ...

.... the opportunity never come twice in the limited time that I had at that moment ...

And when I met with many experts on site then no doubt to not join and try this new adventure together with them all. This Kayaking taught the value of play to create connection, specifically, how to play full of calmness even though it's full of tension, be silly, be imaginative, and build trust with each participant, and also with the coach to connect deeper.

I don't want negative feelings to take control of me ..

• The analogies between?kayaking?and?life, 55 - 65 % of our expectations can not be met in the first shot, so we've to try a 2nd, a 3rd time, or even more .. and sometimes it's also only a delay. That can be accepted perhaps .. or sometimes we've to accept that it seems to be possible or not possible for us.
• When I started kayaking, I’d come up with a plan, a backup plan, and even a backup to the backup plan. There were days when I spent more time planning to be prepared than actually paddling... this is because there is always the first moment - come to our life which we have not experienced yet...
• But .. as long as we know how to manage all the challenges well and minimize the risk then go for it with confidence...

I can go fast with my first Kayaking after following some instructions from the expert coach, and at that time I remember an inspirational quote by an African Proverb about the value of Community: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” At this point, we realized that our efforts indeed may have had a significant role from others to play in our story.

Let's not forget that there have been others, whether parents, mentors, experts, friends, or well-wishers like an angel/funders, etc, who may have also been a part of our journey.

This Kayaking experience is a part of allowing the community to share ah-ha moments with the storytellers

A sharing session from the journey of Kayaking was becoming a part of ABCD learners like me. My experience with ABCD has made a positive impact to re-share this inspirational journey, therefore hopefully can truly connect with NEW CONNECTIONS besides existing community members?to co-design an experience for ABCD practitioners in another journey.

I look forward to connecting with you more in-depth with rich discussion and great networking to explore added value that I can contribute further and expand the opportunity!

ABCD is identical with"Gotong Royong" reflection from the unity of Indonesia.

• Gotong royong - memiliki sikap persatuan salah satu dari sebagian contoh kehidupan yang memiliki nilai-nilai luhur dari sila ke tiga Pancasila yang membawa arah "Persatuan Indonesia". Karena Gotong royong inilah yang merupakan tali pemerkuat bagi bangsa Indonesia.

Bergotong-royong mencerminkan sikap hidup dalam kebersamaan. Kebersamaan merupakan wujud Persatuan.

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