follow the rainbows, butterflies, and bunnies
a while back shone introduced me to the amazing race. it took a couple of episodes for me to grasp the show, but I have been hooked ever since!
there are many many amazing adventures that come out of these episodes. truly remarkable. the places and things that these people see and do is out of this world!!! the sights, the countries, the people, and of course all of the obstacle courses, pitt stops and flights!!
after I have seen a few seasons, it’s easy for me to understand some of the wisdom that shone always tries to share with me. if you are aware of of this show, then please feel free to add any reactions or thoughts. I appreciate any and all.
essentially, this show is about 11 teams, either couples, siblings, best friends, or of some association, and they are all competing against each other, while traveling around the world, completing tasks, and obstacle courses. The idea is to make it to each pitt stop without being last. The last ones are usually eliminated. However, sometimes they are not. So these people, are often in all kinds of new countries, trying to communicate to the locals, with cameras following them around, all while navigating and trying to complete the task. If the task is not completed to the T, then there are penalties, and time delays. It’s really incredible.
some of the tasks are outrageous! bunjee jumping off bridges, riding camels, searching for hidden treasures, rock climbing, diving, boating, stilt walking, craft making, some disgusting over eating!!, and so much MORE!!!!
talk about being out of your norm. constantly forced to find your way in so many unknowns. language barriers, allotted monies for travels……one day you are in the lead, the next minute you are falling way behind. There is just never any way to tell for sure how you are doing, or what is going on with the other competitors.
one of the things I find very interesting besides the adventures, is how the teammates/couples treat each other, and also how they treat the people in the countries they are around.
Teams:
all ages, all sizes, relationships, and personalities! makes for some great entertainment!
the pressure is high, and with every second counting, it’s easy for the teams to crack, break down, and vent to each other. often times the blame is pushed back and forth between the two teammates. Many times they become self defeating and prevent themselves, or each other, their team, from moving forward.
have noticed that the teammates who are supportive of each other, who generally try to have a good time and enjoy the game, rather than allowing the fast pace to get the best of them, tend to do the best. Many of the teammates have grown so much closer, while some of them have ripped them apart.
I often wonder how a game of this type, with a prize of one million dollars, could be the reason why either a relationship would break apart. Is it that the only focus is the destination, and not on the journey itself? Is the action too fast paced that the whole point is lost?
Shone has always mentioned that life is the journey and not the destination. He has also mentioned that it’s how you enjoy each and everyday, regardless of what external or internal circumstances are occurring. You know, it took me a while to see the big picture. Watching this show has taught me so much!!!
1. I am aware sometimes, that something that occurs in others can seem irritating, or resistful to me. As I watch a competitor engage in activities, I am now realizing that part of my discomfort is that some of the issues they are experiencing are my own. It’s just so hard to see in yourself, when you are not really watching yourself. I often ask myself how I have handled things in the past, and if I have or was sure that I was at my best each and every time when dealing with the issue. Sometimes I am made aware of things, that before I was not seeing. And that somehow through the efforts of these individuals on the T.V. I am able to feel it. I do appreciate it so much. I know often times I may come off like a brat sometimes. And I really start cracking up at myself, because I really want to leave the bratiness far behind. I just don’t have the desire for it, and I know that shone does not appreciate it. He is so patient so many times with me, I am super LOVED!
I can see right in front of me, from real life experiences, (reality tv does rule!) and it comes to no shock when I realize that the teams who are supportive of each other, and each other’s well being, do far better, and enjoy the process that much more, than that of the teammates who fight against each other, break each other down, and who attack the one and only person who is there to help them win! More often or not, the easy going ones are the first to cross the finish line, and they are the winners of the entire adventure. hmmmmmmm, easy going, supportive, loving, and putting their best foot forward….doesn’t sound like luck, or like chance to me. 
I am very thankful for the entertainment that fills my mind and heart. TV to us is a great break from the internet, it really allows us to wind down, and be truly entertained by others hard work and efforts. And I truly appreciate them! I honestly do!
someday…perhaps….I would love to compete on the amazing race with shone. I know that it would be such a magical adventure. I just havn’t been able to grasp bunjee jumping or other things that have scared me silly on the show! but as in life, everyday we evolve, and some things that in our past we were not sure of, something happens, and somehow the fear is lost. I only hope that perhaps someday my experiences will prepare me for such an adventure of this!
