The sun was just starting to rise. I had gotten up early to scrub the decks of the boat before I cast off for a few days sailing up the coast. She was a beauty, all 68 feet of her. I had just paid off the bill for the new sail covers, and couldn\u2019t wait to show off the new red brass pulpit I had laid down myself. It was a fine day, a good day.<\/p>\n
I walked up to the general marina store to pick up some extra lines for my adventure. Just up in front of the store was a small park that overlooked the bay. It had a bike trail and a small swing set for children, but was mostly adorned with trees. There, on the only bench, sat a young woman. She was alone and looked to be in her early twenties. She was not crying, and did not look angry. She was just staring. It was as though she was staring at nothing at all, she was indeed staring at something. I knew this, because it was that same something I had stared at myself for many, many years.<\/p>\n
I gently walked over and stood on her left side, scanning the bay like a lighthouse.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a hot one today,\u201d I said to her while keeping my eyes on the horizon.<\/p>\n
She turned only her head, looked over at me and said, \u201cSeems that way.\u201d She let her chin rest on her left shoulder. Her knees brought up to her chest as she slipped her hands behind the soles of her sandals.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re up bright and early. Have a big day planned?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot really. I just like to spend some time. How about you?\u201d she asked halfheartedly.<\/p>\n
I told her about my plans to sail up the coast, and the new sail covers and red brass pulpit. She innocently asked questions about the different parts of a sailboat and how things worked. It was obvious she knew very little about them, so I enjoyed sharing my knowledge. I spoke of the time I had to fight off 35-foot waves in a nasty angry sea, and how never once did I take green water on the deck.<\/p>\n
I told her how sailing brings me alive, how there\u2019s nothing like opening the jib, setting the auto pilot and just being\u2026 just being in the moment, with the water, the wind and myself. \u201cThat\u2019s what life\u2019s all about,\u201d I said, \u201cexperiencing yourself in the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
As I spoke I could see her eyes widening as if to stop the tears from forming. But she could not hold them back. With her forehead resting on her knees she began to cry. And I listened.<\/p>\n
I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply.<\/em>
\n<\/em>Being willing is not enough; we must do.<\/em>
\n<\/em>LEONARDO DA VINCI<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"