Searching is the act of attempting to find something by looking or otherwise seeking carefully and thoroughly. As noted in the song "I've Been Searching (So Long)," by Chicago: I've been searching so long to find an answer. Now I know my life has meaning. For me, when I find that elusive "meaning" (whatever it may be), I am more successful. Now, these meanings are different depending on what I'm doing. The search for meaning is different for when I'm racing, when I'm teaching, raising a family, etc. What's NOT different is that while 'searching,' I'm striving for synergy.
As noted in Chapter 8 of my book, Teach4Endurance: Surviving the Swim, Bike and Run in Today's Classroom: Strain, rigidity and stress are surefire killers of any pursuit in which one hopes to flourish (unless, of course, one's goal is to be a walking corpse). One cannot do anything well is a state of duress or panic.
Being one (or synergistic) with your environment is an integral key to success. Make this notion part of your 'search.' Anytime you can be completely connected with your environment, the more likely you are to succeeding in any endeavor. For example, when I competed in The Escape From Alcatraz triathlon, in San Francisco, I had to be completely synergistic with the San Francisco Bay during my swim. I could not be concerned about the current, the waves, the cold water temperatures, or any critters possibly hanging out in the water with me (see below).
If I concern myself with any of the above, I am no longer synergistic. In all likelihood, I'd probably drown. My only mantra was 1, 2, 3, breathe . . . 1, 2, 3, breathe . . . and repeat until I reached land (which I thankfully did!) In essence, my search (in this instance) was to remain calm and swim the way in which I had trained.
Therefore, whenever I present to adults or I am working with my students, I strive to impart my knowledge about the importance of synergy. To do so, I bring Baby Blue (my acoustic Fender guitar) to the party to (as the Beatles so eloquently stated), Come Together! What does this mean? We sing!
In this case, the song "Drops of Jupiter," by Train correlates with all of us. It connects to the "search." As the chorus shares . . .
But tell me, did you sail across the sun?
Did you make it to the Milky Way to see the lights all faded
And that heaven is overrated?
Tell me, did you fall for a shooting star–
One without a permanent scar?
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there?
We're all searching for something. What that something may be is up to us to figure out.
In presenting to a teaching staff preparing to embark upon another academic year, I simply asked what they were searching for. As the image shows below, we're all searching and thereby, are not alone in our journeys.
Once we discovered that we are all still trying to figure this thing called "life" out, it showed that we all shared concrete connection. Then, it was time to sing! And sing we did.
Realistically, we're all searching for something. The key is know what your hopes and dreams are to truly focus the "search." Whenever I provide a Teach4Endurance presentation, the "search" is for a unified, light-hearted and comfortable learning experience. Up to date, I'm pretty sure we've been able to discover this notion!