When I was 9 years old my aunt gave me a bow and arrow, which I wanted to learn how to use. I started taking lessons and I learned there was much more to shooting a bow and arrow than just drawing, aiming, and firing. I need patience as I stand at the line, holding the bow in my left hand and drawing the arrow back on the string with my right. I need will as I hold the string in place, even though the bow is trying to shoot my arrow before I am ready. My brain hums with energy as I anxiously repeat to myself, “Don’t let go! Don’t let go!” I need focus as I finally release the arrow while aiming at my target. I’m going for accuracy, not speed, so I need to take my time as I release my shot. 

Archery has taught me about patience. It takes quite a long time to shoot an arrow if you want to shoot it accurately, so I had to learn a trick that would help me slow down. When I first shoot during a practice, I count slowly to myself to see about how long it takes for me to aim and accurately shoot an arrow. Then for the remaining shots I use that same number to make sure I am taking my time. There is always a voice in the back of my head telling me to shoot before I am ready, and I need to work really hard to overcome that. You need patience in life because not everything will take a short amount of time just because you want it to. I apply what I learned in archery to help me slow down and focus.