Pulling together

I've been at a work meeting for the morning. Now it's lunch time so I decided to have some sushi--spider rolls, one of my favorites. I've been in an over-air conditioned building for the morning so it's nice to sit in the heat and humidity for a half-hour.

Later after work I'll be joining the rowing team for a workout. We may have eight rowing tonight. It's a good workout since we row for about an hour. Sometimes we have only four to row. That can be a challenge in a breeze and against the tide on the way out.

Our rowboat is a wooden 34 ft. replica of the pilot gigs that used to carry harbor pilots and crew back and forth to ships. I find the boat with it's long oars to be sturdy and serviceable.

We get photographed by a lot of people. There is something unique about a group of people pulling together in harmony to move without obvious effort to a destination. I like the feeling of belonging to the team.

Rowing is a meditative exercise. The cadence of the oars as they slice through the water is soothing. I sometimes entrance myself by counting my strokes. It's a way to keep the focus on the moment that I'm in.

The analogy of belonging in Al-Anon comes to mind. I'm part of that team that pulls for each other as we move in the direction of recovery. I am filled with gratitude for it.

I'm grateful to be a "part of" in so many ways today.