From Hooligan to Semaritan

[buckeye_hunter]

I was sitting around talking to a group of trad archers at a shoot over the weekend. I noticed that a good many, not all, but a bunch of the guys there had a rough past. A number of these guys, me included, had gone from being pretty sketchy to good people.

To prove the point, someone was taking up a collection and wouldn't reveal the reason. He just said it was needed. So everyone in the group contributed without hesitation or question. Keep in mind we didn't know the reason it was needed, but EVERYONE gave something. We eventually found out who it was helping, but not until after the fact. It was definitely a very good cause for a deserving guy!

Anyway, what is it about trad archery that draws such good people? Even those that had to get to a good point in life the hard/stupid way? Why did we end up here?
 

[PA stickbow boy]

i dunno the answer, but it does seem to be the trend or the "way"..... and that aint a bad thing

[Mudd]

Because you are blessed! And because you are,.... we are..... because you're here with us now.

How cool is that? Way!! I'm saying..

God bless,Mudd

[LongStick64]

Because we live in a God Blessed country that allows us a second chance. Everyone should know that we all can change for the better and most importantly. It is never too late.

"We master archers say: with the upper end of the bow the archer pierces the sky; on the lower end, as though attached by a thread, hangs the earth. If the shot is loosed with a jerk there is a danger of the thread snapping. For purposeful and violent people the rift becomes final, and they are left in the awful center, between heaven and earth"

[Dustin Waters]

It has a lot to do with the psychology of traditional hunting.  It is designed to be tough, to create patience in order to enact success, there is not an immediate gratification that gratification must be earned.  These characteristics create a more meaningful person.  Despite anyones past this sport can change a person, the reflection on ones past is even more reason to succeed in this sport.  You learn who you really are and who you should have been your whole life.  Its peaceful and meaningful every time you put a bow in your hand.

[Steve H.]

A guiding light through the dark.

[Killdeer]

Dang, Dustin! I wish I had written that!

Killdeer   :eek:

[owlbait]

I can't wait, and I'm sure there are others, for me to turn around my life and quit being such an ... Just like my shooting, I have much to learn and a long way to go, thank you for proving there is a finish line!

[cacciatore]

Dustin this is exactly what I have ever thought.

[swampmaster]

no one could have said it better, dustin. good job.

                               jim

[Killdeer]

Owlbait, we are never finished.

Killdeer~ still an...    

you aint got time to do stupid stuff anymore, you gotta practice shootin your bow!  

[Wannabe1]

I Reckon So!

[owlbait]

Thanks Killie, that puts me in some darn good company then!

[Winterhawk1960]

Just like "life".......traditional archery is a "journey"......not the inevitable "destination".

As someone said........we never arrive, because when we do.......it's over.

Winterhawk1960

[Steve Clandinin]

Just like Winterhawk and Dustin said.When you started out shooting a bow did anyone ever tell you it was easy? Either is life ,a constant challange.We work hard to become better and more knowledgable and like Our little group here offer Help and guidance(Pardon my spelling but grade four were the three best years of my life)

[magnus]

I think a lot has to do with who you surround with. When I ran  with the wrong crowd things that were exceptable can't even be fathomed now. The older I get the more I wonder "what was I thinking" that's right I WASN'T thinking.
Magnus

[buckeye_hunter]

Archery gives me more than I can ever give back no matter how I might try. It is a venue for me to spend time with my kids while eliminating all the noise. I love watching my girls shoot trad bows!

I also have to agree with you Magnus... many times I failed to think at all.

I guess I shouldn't have been suprised that turning back to the natural order of things can change a person. Possibly it just brings out who you really are inside and shouldn't have let go of in the first place. I know that what I have learned here and at a number of traditional shoots has greatly enriched my life. I am doing what I can to pass it on.

[Sam McMichael]

Sometimes we're just lucky and maybe just a little bit smart. Lucky enough to get a second chance and smart enough to learn from our mistakes. And very lucky to now be associated with people who don't judge us on what we did a long time ago, but rather support and encourage us in the direction we are currently trying to go.