First Lessons Warring Against What Could Be?

Asking Questions

Do you ever ask other archers how they got into the sport? If you don’t it’s probably because you’re too busy telling them all about you. The fact is you already know all about you, you might find it interesting to learn about someone else sometimes. It may even prove to be a profitable exercise. 

Here’s a story I heard a fellow archer tell when I asked her how she began in the amazing sport of sticks and strings. If you pay close attention, you may be intrigued. If you find you aren’t intrigued, take a moment to stop thinking about you and what you might have to say or do instead.

Many years ago when this woman was ten years old she attended a summer camp where one of the activities was archery. She fell in love almost immediately! Do you think it was because she picked up something similar to the Bear Archery Little Bear Traditional Bow and shot it perfectly? Was it because she hit the target spot on and did better than the other children there? 

Summer Camp Gone Wrong

Here’s what’s interesting, she was terrible! She couldn’t hit the big blue target like the Morrell Single Spot Paper Targets or even come close and yet she loved it! When she explained this to me, I told her, “You’re a strange one! Most people generally like a thing because they’re good at it and hate a thing because they’re terrible at it.” 

Her response was worth hearing and adding it to my own perspectives board. She replied, “I loved it because I couldn’t wait to see what could be.” That’s someone willing to put in the work and not expect good things just to fall in her lap! 

She did reveal to me some of the reasons she may have had a hard time hitting the target at camp. It was because she’s a lefty and all they had were bows suitable for right-handed archers. Her entire first experience warred against her but she won! 

Opportunities and Award

Today this very lady has had countless opportunities to teach the sport to men, women, and children alike! She worked at a high school for over ten years. At this very moment she is an archery coach. She gives private lessons as well as hosts group events and classes. 

Her introduction to the sport was less than conventional. One that would have caused most to never pick up another stick and string apparatus again, instead she is sharing the sport! Her continued passion to share her knowledge and perspective to help others experience a more successful start and continued enjoyment of the sport, all I can say is she is infectious! 

This is her, “What Could Be”. She is the Shooter of the Year for her state in her class in 2022 and 2024. A two time 3D State Championship winner. She holds eighteen other State Championship Titles across multiple shooting disciplines and tournament styles. A few bad shots in the beginning nurtured a fight in this lady!

Utter Failure Leads to Success!

Sometimes people can cause us to reflect on ourselves and the way we handle or don’t handle things. This girl, at the time, was experiencing utter failure, she didn’t let that stop her! She couldn’t wait to push past that and believe that no matter how bad she was when she was starting out, she would get better. 

Self reflection time. How many times have you picked up a recurve bow like the Bear Kodiak Hunter, took a few shots and hung it up because you just couldn’t seem to shoot it right? After all a recurve is different from a compound. I’m guessing your conclusion was, I can’t hit the target therefore it is not meant to be! What would change if you heard this lady’s story and adopt her perspective, “I couldn’t wait to see what could be”? Maybe nothing but it’s worth considering! Maybe it’s a story worth sharing with someone right now feeling a bit discouraged. Don’t be a jerk, share the sport!

The Bow Bully

The Bow Bully discusses a variety of archery topics and offers tips, advice and the occasional nudge to make you a better bowhunter. With years of experience, and an attitude to match, you'll find the Bully has something to offer both beginners and seasoned hunters.

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