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08-25-20_12:00PM_CRTV-NDRGRND_PORTSMOUTH-DIV_ARCHIVE_056_SECOND WIND
DEAR MR. NICK,
The CRTVNDGRND writes to remind you the human body is a very powerful and mysterious vessel. The depths of its complexities is not known. One of these complexities is the phenomenon of the SECOND WIND.
Stories of physical feats explain the feeling of the SECOND WIND most concretely. Bruce Lee’s running partner tells it that one day he and Bruce go for a run, and Bruce is pushing the pace too hard. It’s mile 1 and they are hauling it, recklessly it seems.
He pleads with Bruce Lee, “Bruce. Slow down. I’m going to die.”
Bruce Lee says, “Then die.”
Bruce’s comment so infuriated the running partner, that he hung on for the remaining miles at the same breakneck pace he'd just pleaded he couldn’t maintain.
That’s a SECOND WIND.
Another good SECOND WIND story is detailed in the book: CAN'T HURT ME by David Goggins. The former Navy Seal gives an account of Hell Week (100 + hours of sleepless, physical /mental /spiritual torment). Instructors warn recruits Wednesday is the worst.
Wednesday, as if on cue, recruits began to quit during the overhead boat carries. But Goggins rallies his boat crew, and looking into the eyes of the instructors they throw their boat up and down over their heads during the repetitions screaming, “CAN'T HURT BOAT CREW TWO”.
How? No one does this. You’re right. They don’t. It’s the SECOND WIND. It’s human spirit rewarded. It’s....a warrior's gift.
What does this have to do with your art Nick? Everything. The SECOND WIND physically illustrates what happens when you reach beyond yourself into the unknown.
THE MAN will have you convinced it is dangerous and stupid to go beyond yourself. He’ll tell you, “Stop. You’ll hurt yourself. You will fail catastrophically.”
Maybe THE MAN is right. The only way to know is to risk.
The SECOND WIND positions itself like the finish line you didn’t make it to; hidden just around the next bend. When you’re neck deep in a project and moral bottoms out.... you must reach beyond yourself into the dark chasm that is your soul...just hang on...have faith in your purpose and mission...it's coming.
With Love,
T.C.U.
P.S. SECOND WIND
