Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Can't Seem To Stop Thinking About It

I'm one of those people who lives from flame to flame. I find something to be passionate (or, perhaps, obsessive) about for awhile but the passion eventually fades and I move on to the next marvelous thing. I've been that way about many things, though not all, throughout my entire life. 

My latest passion is trap shooting. Like so many times before, I'm totally into it. I think about it, talk about, invest money and time into it, and even evangelize it. Here's the thing though... where does passion end and obsession begin? I keep finding myself thinking about it constantly, even to the point of seeing time in between visits to the range as excruciating mandatory waiting periods.

Unlike most of my previous passions (or obsessions), trap appears to be something I'm naturally good at doing. At least, several experienced shooters have commented that I appear to be "a natural" and all have been surprised at how short a time I've been shooting. So, does this praise feed the passion or does my obsession explain the praise? Does that make sense? In other words, am I consumed with trap because I'm made to do it or am I somehow subconsciously feeding off of the praise - and subsequently the approval - from others? 

I'm too close to this to really be certain just now. I want to say that it's the former. There's no denying that from the first moments I fired a 12 gauge at a clay target, there was an almost tangible rightness in how it felt. At the same time, in the back of my mind and (rightfully so) on the lips of my wife, is the question about how long this "phase" will last. I can't answer that question. 

I guess we'll just have to get a little further down the road to see if I'm going to flame out again. What I know right now is that it's still 3 more days until I can get back to the range...

1 comment:

  1. I never said that. The thing about how long this phase will last.

    I never said that out loud.

    It is costing more money than I thought. But it brings you such joy! And that's a good thing.

    It's a balancing act, Michael, the dance between passion and obsession. You're a deep breather, a live-life-from-your-toes-up man, and I love that about you. I want to live that way, too.

    I only complain when Cami and I get the leftovers instead of the freshly cooked meal. Then, you're obsessing.

    So--I think I'd like to go with you sometime. Do I have to wait until Betsy visits? 8-}

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