We have all experienced times when, instead of being buffeted by anonymous forces, we do feel in control of our actions, masters of our own fate. On the rare occasions that it happens, we feel a sense of exhilaration, a deep sense of enjoyment that is long cherished and that becomes a landmark in memory for what life should be like….. moments like these are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times…the best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile. Such experiences are not are not necessarily pleasant at the time they occur, yet these could have been the best moments of life.
-Mihaly Csikzentmihalyi
This is the final installment of my In The Arena blog. It has been an incredible experience and I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to serve a greater good while pursuing my athletic goals. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
As I type, I am in the midst of packing up my life in Park City in order to move it out to San Francisco. I will begin working towards a MFA this coming fall at the Academy of Art University and joining my girlfriend, Crystal, in the bay area. At the moment I have no plans to continue competing, though I wouldn't be surprised to find myself pinning a number on before the year's end in any multitude of sports.
I really just want to thank Amory Rowe, the In The Arena board members, donors and supporters of the organization, as well as Jeff Schwalbe and Ecker Hill Middle School.
I look forward to seeing you all again soon. If you need to track me down in the future, you can find me at simons(dot)zack(at)gmail(dot)com.
