Where did the passion go?

 

Passion a pure passion for the outdoors, fishing, and hunting is what I had for many years.  What happened and why did it disappear?  For many many years this passion burned, this is all I wanted out of life….

 

 

From the time my Dad introduced me to the outdoors, to when I got my first hunting magazine and watched my first hunting video I wanted to spend every waking moment in the woods or on the water.  I had shot a good eight pointer in my first year out; but it wasn’t till 1987 when I was 16 years old that I harvested my first deer with a bow.  A 4” spike that gave me all the confidence in the world; the confidence that I could do anything I wanted to with my life.  Now as I stare at both of those trophies on the wall I think back to when I had that fire in my eyes to learn all I could, spending all my time, and to save my money to have the latest and greatest equipment.  Even girls and sports were distant seconds and thirds.

 

Even from the time I graduated high school and started my career as a real estate appraiser I kept this passion and this drive, working hard in the off season in order to take time off during the season to hunt.  Then in the mid ‘90’s came my introduction to 3-D Archery; you want passion and dedication I gave up everything from relationships to career to jump into this sport.  I was good, I put my time in, and paid my dues to be the best I could.  For the most part I accomplished everything I set out to do with competitive archery; with the scars and trophies to prove it.  Then it seemed like overnight it was gone, the passion, the drive, my ambition. 

 

With the competitive archery came the drinking and the late nights down at the range; day in and day out.  I almost totally gave up on my appraisal career, my duties at home, taking care of my house, nothing mattered but archery and beer; not deer; beer. 

 

As luck would have it, I met a woman; and I got married.  Though it only lasted a year and a half I am not sorry it happened because in August of 2000 a year into my marriage; I woke up and decided I had to make a change and grow up.  I quit drinking cold turkey, jumped back into my career and realized my potential as an appraiser, but still I couldn’t find that drive to hunt or compete.  This drive had once burned so bad I was oblivious to the world around me.  My competitive nature started coming back when I took up bass fishing and tournament fishing but I still can’t find the drive that I once had.

 

Slowly but surely I feel it coming back, I am even getting back into bowhunting now; but not with all the hi-tech equipment that I once had that’s right; my new passion for hunting is being found with traditional equipment.  And thanks to the support of my new wife Kari I am finding that drive and that passion to succeed again.  I am making a run at fishing and hunting full time through television and tournaments; will I make it; well only God knows.  The one thing I do know for sure is that if I don’t try it will never happen.  I haven’t completely gotten the drive back that I once had and I doubt that I ever will.  Part of it is the fear of jumping back into bad habits and giving up those things that are most important in my life; family and friends.

 

You see to be the absolute best you have to make major sacrifices, put your families well being at risk, and give up so many important things in life.

 

Will I be the best because I don’t want to risk it all again like I once did; probably not.  Can I make a living at it being average or just above average; stay tuned and we will see!

 

Oh for the record it has been a little over 5 years and still no drink.