My name is Felicia, and I play with rubber ducks.
I don't think there is a 12 Step program for rubber duck aficionados, though maybe there should be. It is a little scary to wax poetic about racing rubber ducks, especially with those who don't know me, but I am going to dive in and do it anyway.
The Impromptu Rubber Duck Regatta (IRDR) came about during the deep depression I experienced after shutting down my spa due to the Pandemic - and the state of the world in 2020. In the blink of an eye, I was forced to put 31 people out of work and suddenly faced so many unexpected problems that I could barely cope.
To say I felt depressed is a bit of an understatement. As an empath, I can be totally overrun by the pain of others. Thus, I was paralyzed by the increasing levels of panic, despair, and fear the coronavirus and related shutdown brought to myself and others.
One particularly difficult Sunday afternoon, on a whim I took a couple of rubber ducks (Uni and Quacky pictured below) from my bathroom down to a creek in my yard for an impromptu race. I knew I had to do something - ANYTHING - to get out of the darkness I was feeling - and besides eating more ice cream!)
The race was less than perfect, and I encountered a few challenges, but you know what? I did feel better! So I kept doing the races, having a bit of fun amid the fear, and felt better with every one. As a result, working with the ducks turned into something bigger in my life than I could have imagined.
Racing "The Dream Team Ducks" and the rest of the IRDR League helped me discover a sense of fun and playfulness I didn't know I had. I've learned some new skills (calling the races and offering color commentary during the event are two of them). I've also tapped into my creative side and been prompted to write in different ways than before.
Another big breakthrough I've had since working with the ducks: I realized don't have to be serious all the time to be successful. As someone who went through a lot of loss early in my life - and perhaps as a result of it - I have been a nose to grind-stone workaholic since I was 14 years old. My strong work ethic and drive tied to making my family proud caused me to push myself harder and harder to achieve my goals. Even while owning brick-and-mortar businesses (spas - 3 of them) I have almost always had other jobs or side projects. Though my spa isn't open, the consulting side of my business has had its busiest year ever, allowing me the freedom to frolic with my feathered friends even more.
For a long time, I also had it in my mind that one's spiritual path has to be difficult (think 40 days alone in the desert) to be worthwhile. I mean, there are PLENTY of difficult challenges to tackle and learn from right now, if you want to focus on the tough stuff. But now, mostly because of the duck races, I understand JOY can be a path to learning, growth, and enlightenment.
As a Business, Marketing & Life Coach, Speaker, and Author, my passion is to help others create a successful life and business. Now, beyond the traditional tools and techniques I use and share to help my clients, I'm using the ducks and their stories to help connect others with their own inspiration, passion, and higher purpose.
I'm not what sure your "duck" is, but I encourage you to find something, anything, ONE thing which sparks your joy and creativity the way these tiny racers sparked mine.
Ducks in the water!
Felicia
PS. Check out our first recorded race to see where the fun began.