Sailing

I get daily emails from a variety of sources and usually one is more religious than my style, but this morning this really hit my current thinking space

The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails. ~William Arthur Ward 

I started sailing at age 14.  Well it was a turned over bench at church as a Mariner Girl Scout, but I learned to sail long before I was I a boat.  I liked the idea of gliding silently across the water the same as I love the feel of gliding across the snow on the skis.  I soon learned that it is not silent but a rhythmic swish from the waves on the bow.  I learn all the mechanics and could plot a course with compass and counting the forward movement of the boat with the hull speed.  I rarely thought about my very limited swimming ability…just get in the boat and go.  Like most experienced sailors, you feel the wind… I said I sailed by the fuzz on my face… you can anticipate a shift when you get that second of back breeze but unless there is no wind, you know there will be a shift and you also must adjust your vessel when you want to go where the wind is not easily taking you.  The most progress is made when you are angled into the wind and the most awareness is needed when you have full sails out or a spinnaker (that big colorful sail seen in racing)  going with the wind.   The most important thing is awareness being mindful of where you are, who is with you and which direction you are heading.  If there is a gust… so be it.  You can handle it unless you are asleep at your helm.