Journey’s End or Beginning?

 

‘What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning.’
TS Elliot

Over the past few weeks two rowing boats from Ireland called Brugha and Crean joined 43 other boats to be part of the Atlantic challenge. There were 5 men in the Brugha and 4 in the Crean. They were going to row 3,000 miles. They were facing high temperatures, high winds with waves reaching 30 feet and the possibility of meeting ‘curious’ sharks and flying fish. We heard about their intense preparations and training. It took two years.

They had goals they wished to reach one of these was to win the race. But they were aware that there was more to the experience than winning the race. They knew that teamwork was essential. If they didn’t row in harmony they would make it harder for each other. They set another set of goals for themselves; that they were leaving as friends and they were committed to growing in their friendship or at least remaining friends. That they would not wish the time away but enjoy the experience and reflect on the deeper values in life. Another very important goal for them was to raise funds for the LauraLynn Foundation (Ireland’s Children’s Hospice) and the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institute). These were loft ambitions. They were on an adventure of a lifetime!



In Kilmacud Monastery we became a small part of the team. No! We didn’t take to the high seas! We remained at home and supported the lads and their families with our prayers. As they journeyed on the high seas we were aware they too were also taking time each day to pray and reflect on their experience. They worked together to build relationships, deal with practical problems and share honestly if they have a problem with each other. In monastic life it is a given, ‘don’t let the sun set on your anger’, we deal as best you can with issues both practical and personal.

The rowers arrived safely at their destination singing their hearts out just after midnight 15th January.

It will take time for the rowers to unpack the experience and the life lessons learnt.  They came 5th in the race and first in their class, breaking the record on time for a 5-man boat. The song they were singing was ‘The Wild Rover’ with words that include ‘I never will play the wild rover no more’. I am not convinced about that! Whatever they do they will carry this life experience and use it to build healthy relationships and community wherever they are. They raised funds beyond their expectations for the LauraLynn Foundation and the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institute) and were deeply grateful to all who donated so generously.

Well done rowers - Diarmuid, Géaroid, Tom, Shane, Derek in the boat called Brugha and Dan, Frankie, Jim, and Eugene in the boat called Crean.

Keep the spirit of adventure alive in all you do!

‘The end is where we start from’. (TS Eliot)

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