I can relate to every word-although it’s not basketball, it’s fishing by myself and not worrying about all the what-if’s or the boogeymen, just out in the most beautiful world, aware of God’s nearness that doesn’t happen the same any other place but here. A river, trees, a pole and quiet-had that day today. I’m happy.
“Beautiful article Tanner”. I’ve got to sit with this quote for a few moments; think I am guilty. “Careful in the way people are when they are trying not to feel that kind of pain again”
Loved all of it until I got to the very end. I'm doing therapy right now so that I can continue to garden. I didn't know if I'd be able to do much this year. I'm still in therapy but they're keeping me in the garden. It's worth it and I hope your recovery goes well.
I love the part about God communicating with us through the passion that he created us with - I've never liked sports or horses but I love my plants and I'm doing therapy right now so that I can continue to garden in my retirement.
Your post made me think of the song "Do the next right thing". One of my goals is to try kayaking, hopefully in June. I remember when Steve Nash played for the Mavs.
Thank you for these encouraging words. Until reading them, I had not honestly thought about, or had been unconsciously ignoring, how my my life has been narrowing due to ongoing health issues both my husband and I have been experiencing the past several years. I'm not totally sure if it's fear holding me back, or just inertia and the compelling lure of my recliner. but as I sit here meditating on your words, I'm realizing how many activities have slipped away - activities that helped to define me and brought me great joy. Activities that I could easily, or at least possibly, bring back into my life again. Thank you for encouraging me to get up from my recliner and just do it!
I know this fear. I used to ride horses and compete, very successfully, in my much younger days. And then I rode just for pleasure, but now I don't ride at all. I have a horse I could ride, and I just need to get past the fear. So thank you for this post. I will try again.
This is a fun post, my friend! We'll shoot some hoops if I ever get a chance to meet you. I need the exercise, anyway. I'm sure you'd cream me! I'm not the type who runs and dribbles. I have more skill in making baskets. You're absolutely right; some hobbies and passions are so important to us that when we stop doing them, it's as if we lose a part of ourselves. I experienced this recently when I stopped participating in a certain sport that I had been doing since I was a child. To cope, I leaned into a hobby that I found has not only been something I enjoy for leisure, but now is an outlet where I can connect with God deeper and share with him what's on my heart. :)
I totally get this, Tanner! I had to give up playing percussion in the church band (bongos, congas, shakers, tambourine, djembe, etc.) for 18 months after an accident. You often don't realize how much you love something - until you stop doing it. I missed playing and I missed the band members. It was such a joy to be able to return after God healed me. I'm still playing many years later in different church bands and with others.
My passion has always been horses …. I think I actually left the womb on a saddle. After a brief period of having a pony when I was about 10 I was left longing and praying for a horse. Flash forward 40 years and my prayer was answered when I bought my horse for my 50th birthday. Then the fun began ….. learning how to actually ride correctly, learning how to load a very stubborn huge horse into a trailer, riding on steep trails when I was terrified of heights, falling off, being thrown off, and always, always getting back up and doing it all over again. Oh what a glorious season ! And yes, I understand what it means to truly feel alive. I do believe God delivers us into this world with something we are wildly passionate about ….. and when we pursue that passion He communicates with us through it. I now own 2 horses and still experience a sense of wonder with them. We have aged together and when I look into their big soft eyes I see reflections of beautiful memories of 20 years of glorious adventures. They have been “retired” for a bit now, but for me, I still ride whenever I have the chance. This soon to be 72 yr old great grandma to 6 will continue to pursue this God-given passion as long as I am able. And like you, I know when I get to heaven, the Lord will be waiting with a horse saddled for me ….. saying “wait till you see the trails up here”. Thank you Tanner! Always enjoy your writing !
I'm (an amateur but obsessed) dancer and I tore my posterior tibialis muscle (trying too hard) a while ago. It's been a very long 6 months but I have just returned to Rehab Ballet lessons!!! Looking forward to finally being with the "corps" soon (the camaraderie, the shared exertion, the magic of working together as one!). I can identify with the fear that a twinge in the muscle produces (oh no!), trying to "listen to my body" without becoming paranoid, and sticking with the therapeutic exercises when the days seem endless. Thanks for sharing.
Loved this story Tanner - not because I ever played basketball - well there was the one time I actually scored in PE - for the other team! Yup, I was that guy. My life has included a lot of ‘careful as another word for fear’. It’s tough to unwind all the ways over all the years I’ve pursued relational safety over authenticity. Your reflections and poems remind me to keep trying.
"Fear is a poor foundation for a life" and "Things we love don't always disappear, they just continue to invite us to show up again." I'm so glad that I stumbled upon your Substack, Tanner! I wrote both of these quotes down in my journal! I was literally just thinking of posting a note about my tennis injury and how I'm off to physical therapy this morning because of it! I wrote a similar article about finding tennis (something I use to love playing) again at 56! Great article and have an awesome day!!
I can relate to every word-although it’s not basketball, it’s fishing by myself and not worrying about all the what-if’s or the boogeymen, just out in the most beautiful world, aware of God’s nearness that doesn’t happen the same any other place but here. A river, trees, a pole and quiet-had that day today. I’m happy.
:)
“Beautiful article Tanner”. I’ve got to sit with this quote for a few moments; think I am guilty. “Careful in the way people are when they are trying not to feel that kind of pain again”
.
Loved all of it until I got to the very end. I'm doing therapy right now so that I can continue to garden. I didn't know if I'd be able to do much this year. I'm still in therapy but they're keeping me in the garden. It's worth it and I hope your recovery goes well.
I hope you get to spend a lot of time in your garden!
I love the part about God communicating with us through the passion that he created us with - I've never liked sports or horses but I love my plants and I'm doing therapy right now so that I can continue to garden in my retirement.
Your post made me think of the song "Do the next right thing". One of my goals is to try kayaking, hopefully in June. I remember when Steve Nash played for the Mavs.
I hope you get to go kayaking!
Thank you for these encouraging words. Until reading them, I had not honestly thought about, or had been unconsciously ignoring, how my my life has been narrowing due to ongoing health issues both my husband and I have been experiencing the past several years. I'm not totally sure if it's fear holding me back, or just inertia and the compelling lure of my recliner. but as I sit here meditating on your words, I'm realizing how many activities have slipped away - activities that helped to define me and brought me great joy. Activities that I could easily, or at least possibly, bring back into my life again. Thank you for encouraging me to get up from my recliner and just do it!
:) I am glad these words meant something to you! Enjoy getting out of that recliner!
Thank you 💙
:)
This is awesome. I needed it. Also praying for your meniscus. I’m 60 so I really, really get it. 🙏
Thanks, Kim :)
Right there with ya in the "say yes to the thing that scares you." Thank you for putting to words what so many can relate to.
:) Thanks for reading, Melissa!
I know this fear. I used to ride horses and compete, very successfully, in my much younger days. And then I rode just for pleasure, but now I don't ride at all. I have a horse I could ride, and I just need to get past the fear. So thank you for this post. I will try again.
Wonderful :)
This is a fun post, my friend! We'll shoot some hoops if I ever get a chance to meet you. I need the exercise, anyway. I'm sure you'd cream me! I'm not the type who runs and dribbles. I have more skill in making baskets. You're absolutely right; some hobbies and passions are so important to us that when we stop doing them, it's as if we lose a part of ourselves. I experienced this recently when I stopped participating in a certain sport that I had been doing since I was a child. To cope, I leaned into a hobby that I found has not only been something I enjoy for leisure, but now is an outlet where I can connect with God deeper and share with him what's on my heart. :)
Thanks for reading as always, Mer!
I totally get this, Tanner! I had to give up playing percussion in the church band (bongos, congas, shakers, tambourine, djembe, etc.) for 18 months after an accident. You often don't realize how much you love something - until you stop doing it. I missed playing and I missed the band members. It was such a joy to be able to return after God healed me. I'm still playing many years later in different church bands and with others.
That's amazing!
My passion has always been horses …. I think I actually left the womb on a saddle. After a brief period of having a pony when I was about 10 I was left longing and praying for a horse. Flash forward 40 years and my prayer was answered when I bought my horse for my 50th birthday. Then the fun began ….. learning how to actually ride correctly, learning how to load a very stubborn huge horse into a trailer, riding on steep trails when I was terrified of heights, falling off, being thrown off, and always, always getting back up and doing it all over again. Oh what a glorious season ! And yes, I understand what it means to truly feel alive. I do believe God delivers us into this world with something we are wildly passionate about ….. and when we pursue that passion He communicates with us through it. I now own 2 horses and still experience a sense of wonder with them. We have aged together and when I look into their big soft eyes I see reflections of beautiful memories of 20 years of glorious adventures. They have been “retired” for a bit now, but for me, I still ride whenever I have the chance. This soon to be 72 yr old great grandma to 6 will continue to pursue this God-given passion as long as I am able. And like you, I know when I get to heaven, the Lord will be waiting with a horse saddled for me ….. saying “wait till you see the trails up here”. Thank you Tanner! Always enjoy your writing !
Beautiful!
I'm (an amateur but obsessed) dancer and I tore my posterior tibialis muscle (trying too hard) a while ago. It's been a very long 6 months but I have just returned to Rehab Ballet lessons!!! Looking forward to finally being with the "corps" soon (the camaraderie, the shared exertion, the magic of working together as one!). I can identify with the fear that a twinge in the muscle produces (oh no!), trying to "listen to my body" without becoming paranoid, and sticking with the therapeutic exercises when the days seem endless. Thanks for sharing.
That's amazing! Way to stick with it!
Loved this story Tanner - not because I ever played basketball - well there was the one time I actually scored in PE - for the other team! Yup, I was that guy. My life has included a lot of ‘careful as another word for fear’. It’s tough to unwind all the ways over all the years I’ve pursued relational safety over authenticity. Your reflections and poems remind me to keep trying.
Always love seeing your name and words pop up, Doug. Thanks for your kindness.
"Fear is a poor foundation for a life" and "Things we love don't always disappear, they just continue to invite us to show up again." I'm so glad that I stumbled upon your Substack, Tanner! I wrote both of these quotes down in my journal! I was literally just thinking of posting a note about my tennis injury and how I'm off to physical therapy this morning because of it! I wrote a similar article about finding tennis (something I use to love playing) again at 56! Great article and have an awesome day!!
Thanks for reading Kelly! Hope the recovery goes well. I got a feeling I'll be doing some physical therapy pretty soon!