On September 10th, Lyd will be departing Clean Air Carolina to return to H2o Dreams full time. To say that I am excited about her return would be the understatement of the century! Her skill set and determination were sorely missed this 2015 season and I will be excited to see what we accomplish in the remaining time of this year and moving in to the next.
We have redefined some of her roles and she will be active in research and development of our business long-term, group outreach, as well as enhancing our guest experience before and after their river time. In addition to all of that, you will find her out on the river co-teaching during our core programs, leading women’s specific clinics, and making herself available for beginner level private instruction.
Here are a few words from Lyd on her return to the “Dreams Team.”
Thanks for letting me wander my own path, world! I am so happy to report that the wind has blown me back to the happy adventures of H2o Dreams, and I am more fired up than ever to share the river with friends new and old.
I’d love to tell you my story someday- and I will, in an eddy or over a beer, I promise!- but the core is short and sweet: our lives are a process of refinement. Every endeavor, I believe, is a raging, painful, pervading step toward a simpler, stronger, purer version of ourselves. I’ve never been one of those lucky folks that just knows what to do and does it well; no, most of my growth experiences have been the result of trial and error, and most of what I know has come from doing a lot of things wrong before doing anything right. What was it Edison said? “I haven’t failed, I’ve just found 10,000 way that won’t work.”
My last few months have been full of agonizing growth. I have faced the harsh realization that I don’t know as much as I thought I did, and I’m not nearly as good at a few things as I thought. The hardest part of this journey has been learning how to take a step back, swallow my pride, and roll up my sleeves to put in the work to be better. It was hard, I was unhappy, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’ll quote another guy: “I’m glad to have done it principally so that I may never do it again.”
I learned that few good things come from making decisions based on fear; I know that now. I know that I’d rather be broke, hungry, and happy than any watered down version of something else. I am beyond thankful for the encouragement, support, and patience as my young, restless soul tries to figure this life out. It takes a village.
Thank you for giving me room to grow and explore. Thank you for loving me through, thankfully, a phase- albeit a necessary one- so that I might be able to see where to go on my own accord. So many kind words helped me take the leap to try something different, and so many helped me know when to come home.
More adventures are ahead, and I chose them. I can do anything, and I choose to float this river with you. Thank you! I can’t wait to see you there.
