How are you at reading the wind? Can you anticipate the speed and force with which life is coming at you?
In the sailing world, accurately reading the wind is a key component to winning the race, You need the wind to fill your sails and propel you forward. Watching for the patch of ripples moving across the water tells you how need to adjust your sails. Looking at the Tell Tales on the jib sail at the front of your boat or at the top of your mast indicates how aligned you are with that wind.
Reading the wind is not only about keeping your sails constantly filled full force. Sometimes you need to strategically let your sails luff. Perhaps you are rounding a race buoy or dodging another boat. And the sails always momentarily loosely flap when you tack allowing the boat to significantly change directions.
So, what’s moving you forward? Where are the winds of your life coming from and how are you positioning your boat? Are you watching the water and reading the tell tales so that you can point the boat in the direction you want to go?
If not, perhaps its time to let your sails strategically luff. Slow down. Assess your situation. Take stock of the race buoys. What are the milestones you need to round to achieve your dreams? Notice the obstacles in your way; what boats do you need to dodge? Determine if you need to tack to change the direction of your boat and better align with the winds of your soul. You may not control the winds, but you absolutely steer your boat.
May it be so!
Thanks for your insights. Sailing is a great metaphor! My first experience of feeling the wind out of my sails was when I had finished a long day at work and was going full bore. When I got to my car, a strange calm came over me….just like being becalmed during a race, and I had a choice to make…one was full of uncertainty as to the outcome…I wasn’t sure what to expect. The other was predictable, something I’d done a thousand times. Thank God I chose to take the latter path…my sails have been full ever since.
oops, I meant the former…I always get them confused. I chose the first path…the one of uncertainty.
LOL! AN easy mistake to make! I am so glad your sails have been full ever since making that choice! I was just thinking about that today! There is excitement and curiosity coupled with the unexpected that you don’t get with the predictable!