There was a time when I used to sail. It was nice
to set out into the San Fancisco Bay and do a little coastal cruising down
to San Diego. Sailing teaches you a few things. There are certain times
and places when you can do things, and there are certain times and places
when you can't. For example, you cannot sail out of San Francisco Bay when
the tide is coming in. You also cannot sail in when the tide is going out.
The force of the tide is beyond the capabilities of a sailboat, even a
sailboat assisted with an engine. You have to keep a tight reign on the
course. Despite the direction you are pointed, you are subject to wind and
tides. The course must constantly be corrected. The foremost rule,
however, is that you must have a destination in mind and that destination
must be charted. You can deviate in time and place, but you must
ultimately return to the course that leads to that destination. If you
have no destination, you have no course, and you have no planned future.
You will go where the tides, the winds, the waves, and any other external
force pushes you. It might for an instant seem adventurous, but it is no
more adventurous than having someone tell you every move to make, every
place to go, every thing to do. It is much more adventurous (and
courageous) to set your own goal and go for it. What is your goal?
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