Chapter 7: An Aim Strong and True

[SkyGirl]

KEEPER OF THE SILVER BOW

Chapter 7: An Aim Strong and True

mission: growth

 

 

 

The screaming shout of the man could be heard long before his crashing footsteps approached our camp. Our corps leader, Ayre Kallana, met my eyes and signaled me to move into the brush, while the older members melted silently into the shadows with practiced speed. Only minutes passed before we could hear him come thrashing and tumbling down the hill and landing hard in a gasping, sobbing heap at the bottom.

 

"Oh please help," he wailed, his voice a parched scream, his breathing coming in huge choking draws. "Please, someone please! I need help! Help me! Help me!"

 

I could see him from my hiding place; he did not seem injured, but his limbs were shaking and he kept his face pressed into the dirt, weeping as if all hope had left him. I glanced over at Ayre, who was pressed closely against a tree, his eyes flickering quickly over the man, into the woods beyond and back the way we had come. When he felt me look over, he looked out of one eye and shook his head. He would handle this one. Still, I lifted my magic Silver Bow off my shoulder and fit an arrow into the string. The civil war was growing more violent every day, and traps and deception were rampant in the woods and villages beyond.

 

Ayre made no sound as he stepped out from behind the tree and kneeled beside the man, gently touching his shoulder and rolling him over. The man was likely no older than me; but I barely stifled a gasp when the light fell across his face. His cheeks were sunken deeply into his skull and his eyes bulged in his yellow-gray face, barely visible under the greasy hair that fell across them. His toothless mouth was open in another moan when he became aware of Ayre's presence, and he cried out and scrabbled backward in the dirt, flinging up one skeletal arm to protect himself.

 

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't do anything," he shrieked, huddling away and cowering as Ayre tried again to reach out to him. "Please don't hurt me!"

 

"I'm not going to hurt you," Ayre reassured him, holding out his open hands. "I heard you yelling for help, and I'm here to help you. What's wrong?"

 

The man stared for nearly half a minute with his mouth open vacantly before he realized that Ayre was telling the truth, and he crumpled in defeat, lowering his head to his knees and beginning to sob. "My whole village," he whispered. "The dark elves - they came into our village over a year ago and started giving people 'medicine' that was supposed to help us get stronger. But it didn't, mister. It was poison. All of us - we can't live without it, but we're dying, all of us are dying. I escaped to get help, but they got hold of me before I left. I'm a dead man, mister. But I've got to find someone who can help my village before I die."

 

Ayre's wrinkled brow closed over his cloud-gray eyes as he listened, and I saw his jaw flexing. He reached out and put his thin hand on the man's much thinner shoulder. "What can I do for you?"

 

The man snapped his head up and grabbed the front of Ayre's shirt, his eyes frantic. "Tell them," he cried. "Tell them it's poison. Tell them they need to fight and get free of it. Get a doctor who can heal them. But please, mister - you're a solder, aren't you? Help them fight - you've got to help them fight!"

 

His impassioned plea was too much for his weakened body to handle. With a brittle moan, he sagged forward and fell to the ground at Ayre's feet.

 

"Sky!" Ayre lifted the man off the ground and looked over his shoulder. "Sky, I need you!"

 

I slung my bow over my shoulder as I leaped out of the bushes and ran down the hill, skidding to my knees next to him and quickly putting my hand on the man's thin shoulder. A wretched, poisonous smell reeked from his body - I gagged and coughed as I reached up with my other hand and cradled his greasy, dirt-caked face. But when I closed my eyes and prayed for strength, the healing warmth of the Silver Bow's power began to build deep in my chest, rising and spilling down through my arms and fingertips, flowing into his diseased body. "May the King have mercy on this poor man," I whispered. Ayre bowed his head and joined me as the healing powers intensified: "May the King in His mercy heal this man and save his spirit."

 

After a few minutes, the yellow-gray color began to fade from the man's skin, and he stirred. His breathing no longer rattled in his chest. When he opened his eyes, they were clear, no longer jaundiced and unfocused. He tried to gather strength to speak, but I shook my head. "No, just rest. Everything will be all right. My name is Sky Elvenword, and I'm a healer. This is my mentor, Ayre Kallana. He's a teacher. I think our friends can help you and your village."

 

The man closed his eyes, and his chest trembled as tears began to run down his face. "My name is Yazl Henry, miss. I wasn't sure I could find any more of the King's servants in these dark woods. You are the ones I've been praying for all these years."

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Following along again! A great start to a new chapter.

[SkyGirl]

Week Zero

 

I am too excited for this month's challenge to wait to start next week! Last month's challenge was probably my most successful one yet, and I don't want to stop my forward progress!

 

So I have two goals that I'm working toward, and actually some measurable steps to get there. By the end of these 5 weeks, I want to be able to run 3 laps around the gym without stopping and lift 6,000+ pounds in one workout session. 

 

(Just to qualify, firstly, I don't deadlift or use barbells or "legit" weights just yet, because I don't have anyone to spot me and help me get started; so I'm using cable machines and dumbbells. Eventually I will drag my dad ask my dad to come the gym and have him help me get started properly, but until then, I'll be using the cables and dumbbells. Secondly, regarding the distance, 3 laps around the track is about 1/3 of a mile, so I know I'm not talking about any great distance; but to go from never ever ever running to going 1/3 of a mile without stopping is going to be a huge accomplishment for me. I will definitely be buying myself a froyo in celebration if I reach these goals!!)

 

So here is what I am measuring this month - it looks very similar to last month's goals in most respects:

 

Walking

Goal: Walk 100+ miles

- 80+ miles = +1 STA

- 90+ miles = +1 STA, +1 STR, +1 CON

- 100+ miles = +1 STA, +1 STR, +1 CON

- Total points possible: +3 STA, +2 STR, +2 CON

 

Working Out

Goal: Go to gym 2x weekly AND work toward 6000 lbs lifted / 3 consecutive laps run

- 2 of 4 weeks with 2 workouts = +1 STR, +1 CON

- 3 of 4 weeks with 2 workouts = +1 STR, +1 CON, +1 STA

- 4 of 4 weeks with 2 workouts = +1 STR, +1 CON, +1 STA

- Total points possible: +3 STR, +3 CON, +2 STA

 

Goal: Take the stairs! Only 2 elevators allowed daily!

- 5/7 days, 2 weeks = +1 STR

- 5/7 days, 3 weeks = +1 STR

- 5/7 days, 4 weeks = +2 STR, +0.5 CON

- 5/7 days, 5 weeks = +2 STR, +0.5 CON

- Total points possible: +6 STR, +1 CON

 

Spiritual Health

Goal: Go to church every week for all 5 weeks

- 1 week: +0 WIS

- 2 weeks: +1 WIS

- 3 weeks: +1 WIS

- 4 weeks: +2 WIS

- 5 weeks: +2 WIS

- Total points possible: +6 WIS

 

Goal: Finish reading Genesis, Romans, and Job

- Finish Genesis: +1 WIS, +0.5 STA

- Finish Romans: +1 WIS

- Finish Job: +1 WIS, +0.5 STA

- Total points possible: +3 WIS, +1 STA

 

Total Points Possible: +9 WIS, +9 STR, +4 CON, +6 STA

 

I would really like to add a food component to that at some point, but I've historically had trouble building food challenges, so I need to think about how to turn my nebulous goal ("eat real food") into something SMART and manageable. I'll update this post and my signature when I figure out what that will look like. 

 

-----

 

Regarding the story and what it symbolizes in this quest, I'm finally starting to settle into my research and figure out how my classes are informing my future work; and part of that is a new project that one of my advisors approached me with last week. If all goes as planned, I will get to help him craft some health-related messaging, hopefully in written and video form, to benefit a health campaign in another county. I've never done anything like this before, and it's really giving me the "kick in the pants" I needed to take my semester seriously. I mean, he said they approached him with an email that said "we need some storytellers, do you have any?", and he thought of me! If that's not motivation, I don't know what is!  :-)

 

So part of my not-quantified goal for the month is to find a more productive balance between work, research, study, NF/health, and rest/sleep. I've been putting a little too much time into work and health, and not enough into research, study, and sleep. I need to use scheduling and discipline to adjust that pie chart to be more equitable. My mission is to use my word powers to help people, and putting my time where it counts is an important part of that.

 

-----

 

Let's jump into this challenge and take on the sloth demon!

 

  

[Rhovaniel]

5 hours ago, SkyGirl said:

Let's jump into this challenge and take on the sloth demon!

 (You can sub orc for sloth demon....)

 

Yes! Love the challenge set up, and the way you jump straight back into narrative. That reminds me, I got to get writing...

 

[SkyGirl]

11 hours ago, Rhovaniel said:

 (You can sub orc for sloth demon....)

 

Yes! Love the challenge set up, and the way you jump straight back into narrative. That reminds me, I got to get writing...

 

 

Yes, yes, and yes!!! If you happen to spot Aragorn anywhere in your narrative's universe, please bring him back with you!

[Rurik Harrgath]

Your narratives always give me the shivers. Bravo!

 

Hope you continue to build upon the successes of your last challenge and maintain your momentum going forward - and when in doubt, the key to momentum is to just lean forward.  Gravity and forward energy take care of the rest. 

[Maggie-Miau]

Yaaaay there you are! Happily following along and cheering for your awesomeness, SkyGirl! (And very eagerly looking forward to installments of your wonderful writing!)

[SkyGirl]

WARNING: LONG MUSING POST ... SKIP IF YOU HAVE THINGS TO DO

 

Isn't it amazing how the dumbest things can so easily derail us?

 

Today was, quite possibly, one of the most amazing and important days of my life - I went to an absolutely incredible science conference this morning, at which I not only got to participate in building ideas alongside brilliant, established scientists, but I even got to stand up and lead one of the brainstorming sessions, ultimately helping the scientists produce a conceptual model that they want to develop further during the semester. They invited my labmate and me to join them in forming an interdisciplinary research team that could create a legitimate research project, based heavily on my ideas.

 

Later in the afternoon, my major professor read an article I had suggested for her project; and not only did she really like it, but she said that she thinks it could be a key paper for my own research as well, and she spent time after the meeting suggesting some resources I could use to start with that. Add to all that the fact that I ran 3 laps around the gym on my first try yesterday, and I should be feeling really awesome.

 

Well ... based on my past browsing history (although I really don't know what they're talking about, because I've never gone to this kind of site before), Instagram thought I should visit a "fitspiration" account.

 

I knew I shouldn't click on it. I knew it was unrealistic, that it was mainly made up of professional bodybuilders or people who have lots of time to exercise, that it was going to make me feel bad about myself. But I clicked on it anyway. And as I watched all of the beautiful, toned women and incredibly ripped men doing explosive pull-ups, fantastic bodyweight stunts, and especially posing for dramatic before-and-after pictures, all of the amazingness of my day dissolved into a sad breeze of disappointment and discouragement. I've had 4 people in the last 3 days comment on how slim I'm looking, but the 3 pounds I've gained back suddenly felt like 30.

 

But. I am refusing to let myself be discouraged, now that I've thought better of it. I have made so much progress in strengthening my body and getting healthier. Yes, I'm "back up to" 114 pounds, but I started at 136. I have lost a lot of weight - physically and mentally. I have let go of bitterness. I have let go of anger. And today I can run, I can squat, my lifting stamina has increased hugely, I'm consistently walking 5 or 6 miles a day, and I've tried things I never thought I would, like ice skating. God has brought me to a place in my life where I can stretch out and explore my strengths for the first time - I am gaining confidence every day to jump in and lead and tell people's stories, because this is my gift and I wield it well, with God's help.

 

No, I don't have an incredible figure - I'm still pretty squishy and lumpy. Yes, I'm still using the 7.5-pound dumbbells, and yes, I still wheeze after I've run 1/3 of a mile. But I have come so far. And I still have such a long, exciting way to go. I don't know if I'll ever be able to deadlift my bodyweight or run a marathon, but I'm going to have strong arms to lift my children someday (God willing), I'll be able to squat down to take photos of beautiful flowers and insects, I can run to chase the wind and I can carry very heavy things on my back for long distances. I'm getting stronger so I can serve people with my body as well as my heart and mind.

 

I'm seriously glad for the people who have the time and dedication to develop their bodies to perfect peak form. But I know that I don't have to be perfect - I just have to be ready. And the Holy Spirit is ready to fill up all my weaknesses with His strength.

[Emerald Eagle]

Congrats on getting through that challenge. Having your mindset shaken is always hard but it's great to see you push through it  I hope tomorrow is full or more successes and a renewed feeling of victory!

[Rhovaniel]

You are completely right to shake off all that negative body image. It's the work of the Demons, seeking to pull you down because it sees how far you've climbed already. And I read a very interesting article about how staged before and after photos can be. It is hard when things like that get to us when we know they shouldn't, but you've already fought half the battle in focusing on the positives, like the weight you have lost, the strength you have gained, the intelligence you have that is being recognised...

 

http://gawker.com/personal-trainer-exposes-before-after-secrets-on-in-1189167678 

 

Don't let that silly mind-trick distract you. That sounds like an absolutely amazing day, I hope you are truly proud of yourself! 

[SkyGirl]

13 hours ago, EmeraldEagle said:

Congrats on getting through that challenge. Having your mindset shaken is always hard but it's great to see you push through it  I hope tomorrow is full or more successes and a renewed feeling of victory!

 

10 hours ago, Rhovaniel said:

You are completely right to shake off all that negative body image. It's the work of the Demons, seeking to pull you down because it sees how far you've climbed already. And I read a very interesting article about how staged before and after photos can be. It is hard when things like that get to us when we know they shouldn't, but you've already fought half the battle in focusing on the positives, like the weight you have lost, the strength you have gained, the intelligence you have that is being recognised...

 

http://gawker.com/personal-trainer-exposes-before-after-secrets-on-in-1189167678 

 

Don't let that silly mind-trick distract you. That sounds like an absolutely amazing day, I hope you are truly proud of yourself! 

 

Thanks so much, guys! I am proud - or more like surprised and delighted - about all the other awesome things that happened to me yesterday. I'm eagerly waiting to hear from the rest of the team to see when we can get started!

 

It also helps to remember that my goals for working out and eating right are not so I look a certain way; they're so I can do certain things. And pictures and mirrors often don't give a great representation of things people can do, or ways people feel.  :-)

 

Thank you for your support! Both of you keep your chins up too!!  :-)

[Elastigirl]

 Great story and challenge. I love what you wrote about not having to be in perfect form. It is easy to get distracted and want the wrong things, good for you for catching it and getting back on track so quickly.

[SkyGirl]

No gym for me today - I woke up with a scratchy throat this morning, and am now slumped in a recliner with all of my muscles and bones aching like they're being sat on by a sumo wrestler.  :-(  I hope I feel better tomorrow so I can go for my workout, but if not, I did go to the gym and walk for a little while last night, so I could count that as my second "workout" in a pinch. Hopefully some sleep and food will help. I always crave junk food when I'm sick - I think because my dad always used to go get McDonald's or pizza for my mom when we were sick as kids - so I think I'm going to send my brother and sister to the store for some lean beef patties or healthy-ish pizzas for dinner. Unless they bring home McDonald's, in which case, I do not have the energy to complain.  :-)

 

Maybe this is a good excuse to draft some more narrative ......................

[SkyGirl]

4 minutes ago, Elastigirl said:

 Great story and challenge. I love what you wrote about not having to be in perfect form. It is easy to get distracted and want the wrong things, good for you for catching it and getting back on track so quickly.

 

Thank you, Elastigirl!! 

 

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

I am so proud of you, both for how well you did in the science conference, and in getting yourself out of that funk. The dark elf has many schemes, and yet they fail to ensnare you. You are indeed a worth wielder of the silver bow, and have now learned to use it on yourself (totally not at all giving you any hints for the next narrative, oh deary me, none at all, just a totally innocent bystander over here nothingtooseeatallthankyouverymuch).

[SkyGirl]

On 2/10/2017 at 8:00 PM, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

You are indeed a worthy wielder of the silver bow, and have now learned to use it on yourself

 

 

 

 

[Rhovaniel]

On 11 February 2017 at 1:00 AM, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

(totally not at all giving you any hints for the next narrative, oh deary me, none at all, just a totally innocent bystander over here nothingtooseeatallthankyouverymuch).

 

[SkyGirl]

WEEK ONE

mission: focus

 

I'm starting out Week One with a few handicaps - firstly, I'm on day 3 of a virus that has sapped my desire to do anything besides eat junk food and sleep.

 

    

 

Secondly, Week One coincides with the week that my hormones turn me into a Very Hungry Hippo; and thirdly, I've been hit by the realization that I need to spend a lot more time on my homework and research than I have been, which also means I should probably cut down on the 1-2 hours of my NerdFitness time each day (so much sadness). Some of my goals, like walking 100 miles and going to church all 5 weeks, have already taken a hit.

 

But starting with a setback has one thing in common with starting on a great note: It's still starting. Like it or not, this is the first day of Week One and it's up to me to make it awesome.

 

So my first task is to get healthy, while still trying to gently move forward with my goals as much as possible - walking a bit tomorrow, taking the stairs, taking vitamins and medicine, trying to eat better than I did this weekend (*glancing around uncomfortably*). After that, I'm going to try to be more focused and efficient with my workouts so they don't spread out over a luxurious two hours like they have been - I will have a plan right away and move quickly and strategically through my plan. I will work on my homework for a few hours each night, so I'm caught up, taking class seriously and prepared to engage with the material.

 

As for my research work, I still have the appropriate number of hours mapped out on my calendar to work in; but I need to be more focused and resist the urge to relax once I reach the quiet of my cubicle. If I have to, I'll do my research work in a computer lab or other uncomfortable place. But my professor is paying me to sift through the literature and put it in a form she can use for her work, and I owe her thoroughness and care - and in a timely fashion. 

 

No self-indulgence, no excuses, just focus and hard work, followed by intentional rest and recuperation.

 

Let's do this.

 

 

[SkyGirl]

Also, I really need to figure out a way to earn myself some Dexterity points ... I'm still at 1 measly point in that category.  :-/  Something to brainstorm for workouts this month ...

[Rhovaniel]

My goals are also going to have to fit in with the more-than-anticipated levels of study I have to do. Especially since I realised that my life as an undergrad ends in TWO MONTHS. Like, excuse me Time, can you slow it down a little there? So much coursework, but I'm here to offer what encouragement I can. 

6 hours ago, SkyGirl said:

Let's do this.

Indeed. 

 

  

[Moros]

Following along for the amazing story...

 

You've got this:

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

14 hours ago, SkyGirl said:

No self-indulgence, no excuses, just focus and hard work, followed by intentional rest and recuperation.

 

Let's do this.

You have come so far, I'm so proud of you.

You got this.

[SkyGirl]

14 hours ago, Rhovaniel said:

My goals are also going to have to fit in with the more-than-anticipated levels of study I have to do. Especially since I realised that my life as an undergrad ends in TWO MONTHS. Like, excuse me Time, can you slow it down a little there? So much coursework, but I'm here to offer what encouragement I can. 

Indeed. 

 

  

 

You have my bow, @Rhovaniel ... I'm so proud of you and so excited to see where life is taking you!! Keep on running forward!

 

8 hours ago, Moros said:

Following along for the amazing story...

 

You've got this:

 

 

Is there a better role model in all of literature than Aragorn? I wish I had Narsil / Anduril to help me hack through my homework!  :-D  I hope you have been well, my friend! I'll hop over to your challenge thread soon!

 

6 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

You have come so far, I'm so proud of you.

 

You got this.

 

 

 

I thought back to some of my old challenges from the summer and realized that you're right ... remember when I almost gave up on my first challenge because my motivation waned and I thought I had to be super motivated to keep going? Now I know that all that matters is that I keep going, no matter what. Even if I'm crawling, even if I'm dragging myself with my elbows, what matters is that I'm moving forward.

 

I have grown so much in these last few months ...

[SkyGirl]

Well, I did get in my 3.66 miles of walking and took the stairs today, but the long day did me in - my cold has gotten much worse tonight. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to make it to class tomorrow. I've tried to start homework a few times tonight, but my half-hearted efforts keep getting interrupted by more nose-blowing and sneezing and sadly rubbing my painful, itchy cheeks; and that's long enough for any motivation to dribble away and leave me listlessly staring at the TV once again.

 

Bed is best, I think ... I did walk to the store to get some more Tylenol, soft Kleenexes, saline spray and lotion, so I'm ready to face the night.

 

I'll try again tomorrow ...

 

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

2 hours ago, SkyGirl said:

Is there a better role model in all of literature than Aragorn? I wish I had Narsil / Anduril to help me hack through my homework!  :-D  I hope you have been well, my friend! I'll hop over to your challenge thread soon!

The pen is mightier than the sword. Name your pen "Anduril's Granddaddy" and you're all set.