| Recently, I was thinking about the time I spent sailing. | | | | requires wind; you cannot count on the current to get |
| Many images came to mind - the times I was | | | | you to your destination. And it doesn't matter what |
| challenged almost to breaking against 20-foot waves, | | | | direction the wind takes, you simply adjust your sails. If |
| and times the gentle rocking combined with a glowing | | | | the wind blows against you, you must tack port and |
| sunset were more joy than my heart could hold. But | | | | starboard into the wind or you'll find yourself stopped - |
| are we all adrift at sea? | | | | or going backward. This zigzag path is the ONLY way |
| How do we find our true path in life while buffeted by | | | | to move forward. Calculate where you are in relation |
| circumstance, tossed by emotions like anger, joy, | | | | to your goal. Set your sails at an angle to the wind and |
| frustration, ecstasy? As I opened my imagination, I | | | | change your direction as often as you must. Find |
| realized that there is much to be learned through the | | | | markers and points against the horizon that will help |
| process of sailing. It requires a bit of adventure. You | | | | you realize you are making progress. |
| have to leave the safe confines of the shore, the | | | | 3. Keep your eye on the compass. You may have to |
| predictability of the earth beneath your feet. Even in | | | | head northeast and then northwest to move north. As |
| California, it doesn't move often! The sea is moody, | | | | long as you know where you are going, keep on the |
| changing from placid to rolling to violent at will. | | | | path. |
| Yet a sailor knows how to use the power of the wind | | | | 4. When the wind is behind you, run up extra sail. |
| to set his own course. He can move into the wind or | | | | Sometimes the wind pushes you from behind. You |
| behind it. "It is the set of the sails and not the gales that | | | | may want to relax, but to reach your goal more |
| determine where he goes." Some lessons to be | | | | quickly, set out all your sails and put up the spinnaker. |
| learned from a sailor: | | | | It's a bit more work, but you will make better progress |
| 1. Unless you take command, you will go nowhere. The | | | | if you maintain control. And if you have seen a full |
| sails flap, useless, if the ship has no direction. Bobbing | | | | spinnaker, you will know it is a beautiful sight. |
| up and down, in irons, can be dangerous. You may get | | | | 5. Appreciate the journey. The smell of the salt water, |
| hit with a flying mast. Yet this place of non-movement | | | | the spray of ocean foam, the movement of the |
| is essential. You cannot go from one direction to | | | | waves, the occasional porpoise or dolphin alongside. |
| another without passing through the stillness. It may | | | | Wresting the wheel or resting in the sun - it's all part of |
| look like self-doubt, despair, questioning. Welcome it as | | | | the beauty. |
| a sign that you are making progress in turning toward | | | | The sailing ship is like life in a bottle. And oh, what have |
| your goal. Just keep moving. | | | | I learned! |
| 2. Without wind, you are without direction. Sailing | | | | |