I believe very much in the concepts expressed in the Serenity prayer, which to me are all about recognizing the scope of our agency to act and to make a difference. The nautical theme of your essay certainly expresses that aptly. You learned through practice how to be a better sailor, but the seas are vast, remorseless, and sometimes be beyond our control.
"O God, your sea is so great and my boat is so small”
It's the opening to an old Breton fisherman’s prayer. There is the vast beauty and terror of the world that we have to contend with, along with the importance of mindfulness and humility as we all live in this same world together.
I know this is about politics, which I have no interest in. I do, however, have interest in climate change and in our natural world. In terms of the Five Stages of Grief, most of the U.S. and a good part of our world--in particular the so-called political leaders--have been stuck and oscillate between Stages 1 and 2: Grief and Anger.
It is unfortunate that critical issues like climate change, healthcare, the economy and education have been politicized to such an extent that people are divided into sides being for or against. Sad in that people are their own worst enemies…And I think you’re right about those who have lost being stuck and unable to move forward…
Yes, and perhaps a time for setting or trimming the sails. Read the tides, currents and wind and then, sail on, prepared for what could be rough seas ahead. No one creates the weather although we’ve done a good job of screwing it up with burning of fossil fuels and trapping the emission gases. Thus more hurricanes, floods, fires, and intense weather patterns. There are those who don’t believe in or subscribe to a climate crisis, the same folks who deny other facts that reputable scientists have uncovered.
Gary,
I believe very much in the concepts expressed in the Serenity prayer, which to me are all about recognizing the scope of our agency to act and to make a difference. The nautical theme of your essay certainly expresses that aptly. You learned through practice how to be a better sailor, but the seas are vast, remorseless, and sometimes be beyond our control.
There's another prayer which you may have heard,
"O God, your sea is so great and my boat is so small”
It's the opening to an old Breton fisherman’s prayer. There is the vast beauty and terror of the world that we have to contend with, along with the importance of mindfulness and humility as we all live in this same world together.
I know this is about politics, which I have no interest in. I do, however, have interest in climate change and in our natural world. In terms of the Five Stages of Grief, most of the U.S. and a good part of our world--in particular the so-called political leaders--have been stuck and oscillate between Stages 1 and 2: Grief and Anger.
It is unfortunate that critical issues like climate change, healthcare, the economy and education have been politicized to such an extent that people are divided into sides being for or against. Sad in that people are their own worst enemies…And I think you’re right about those who have lost being stuck and unable to move forward…
Who was it that said “you create your own weather?” Whoever it was was on LSD. And not a sailor.
LOL! Appreciate your wisdom Gary. Now is the time for wisdom.
Yes, and perhaps a time for setting or trimming the sails. Read the tides, currents and wind and then, sail on, prepared for what could be rough seas ahead. No one creates the weather although we’ve done a good job of screwing it up with burning of fossil fuels and trapping the emission gases. Thus more hurricanes, floods, fires, and intense weather patterns. There are those who don’t believe in or subscribe to a climate crisis, the same folks who deny other facts that reputable scientists have uncovered.