My contrary side usually moves me to be the last to join or do anything that I perceive to be trendy or going with the flow. So it is with much consternation that I have overcome this unattractive character trait and joined the blogging world. It may be like diets, exercising or countless other noble and possible healthy pursuits that I flirt with rather than fully committing too. However, right now, today I am dedicated.
Apex is a word that according to the dictionary means the tip or pinnacle of something. I struggled for a long time (more than 5 minutes) about what to call my blog. I heard someone said once at a church planting conference that the suspected main draw for church planters was to get to name their own church. There is something cool about naming something I suppose. I confess I have friends that have named blog sites after clever variations or plays on their names. No one can pronounce mine properly and hot Raad (rod for you non-Norseman) got pretty old as a kid. I suppose I could go with a description of some incredible personal talent or skill like some other people I know. Sarcasm isn't really an interesting blog title.
So I return to this word Apex. The dictionary definition is not really why I am attracted to the word. There certainly is a substantial portion of my energy and life dedicated to my perception of success which is often described or characterized in tip, pinnacle or various other mountain peak analogies. I am more referencing the word as a racing term. In racing the apex of a corner is the middle of the corner, the balance point if you will. The apex is the perfect center where slowing or braking has happened, turning is happening and acceleration resumes. The difference between taking a corner fast or slow is dependent upon being able to identify this balance point. You could be in the fastest race car or the slowest bucket of bolts - they all have the same apex point. Race tracks have all kinds of corners with all kinds of apexes - early ones, late ones, even double ones. But the apex still remains. That point where your momentum has slowed sufficiently to undertake a course correction at exact right moment so you can increase your speed as quickly as possible in the desired direction. Too much speed when you begin to turn and you will loose control. Too much braking before you begin to turn and the corner feels hopelessly slow. When you fail to identify the apex it becomes necessary to make several turns or adjustments rather then fluidly moving through the corner. Missing the apex means not being able to accelerate as soon as you can. Momentum is lost.
There is a rush unlike anything else when you apex a corner perfectly. Then as you begin to put together a succession of corners you experience a rhythm and your speed increases lap over lap. It is a harmony between you, the car, and the forces of nature. Balance! How many times in life have I stopped dead looking at a corner in front of me? I wonder should I take the corner - where does it lead - I don't know. Maybe I should back up and return the way I came. Or how many times the opposite, charging into a turn in life with such speed and intensity completely disregarding the laws of physics that will see to it that I spin out of control. There are those few times almost seemingly by accident that balance is achieved. Harmony reached with such sweet victory. That is success.
I think part of the reason I like apex beyond just the racing implications and the fact that I get to put a cool car picture up top is that for me I fall victim to the idea that balance and harmony are achieved by the absence of conflict. An apex does not occur on a straightaway or in the pits. It is in the midst of a turn. It always involves a change of direction. I take great peace and comfort in the fact that I can experience balance and harmony in the middle of some pretty anxious turns.
I feel the rush of speed as I am propelled towards the next turn. My whole body tenses as I apply pressure to the brakes and the weight of my body shifts forward against the safety belt. The nervous sweat is everywhere except my palms which grip the steering wheel as I see the corner looming large in front of me. Now at the perfect point of speed and timing I turn into the corner fixated on that place where I know I must go. The Apex. I feel it as much as I see it. The forces of gravity tug at me as if trying to pull me right out of the car. There it is! I feel the forces ease just a bit and I can see the exit and stare down the track to the lane opening in front of me. I allow myself to roll onto the accelerator and feel the rush of momentum rocket me forward. It was perfect.
Now on to the next corner!
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5 comments:
Welcome to the blogging world! Great to have you here.
I like the name, and the explanation. I expect to still see plenty of sarcasm on here though.
Excellent first post, Tim. Keep this up and you may give me a run for my money. :o) I feel that I have had a lot of those "apex" moments lately as well...usually instead of finding it, though, I end up crashing into the wall or slowing down before the turn in a chickening out sort of way. I like the metaphor, though...good food for thought.
Welcome to blogging! I can't wait to read more great posts!
Tim, my goodness - I think beyond your incredible gift of sarcasm is the gift of words! You write so well! I am so glad I found your blog linked from Kerry's and I look forward to reading more.
Great Post. Love the way you connected the apex in driving to life. I think you may be too cool for me. ;) Talk to you soon.
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