Sailing Through Life

By Aleta Pippin
Posted Tuesday, August 24, 2004

P"Sailing, sailing over the bounding main..."Sailing - journeying from one anchorage to the next using wind as your power source. If you've done any sailing, you know that it can be a great metaphor for life.

PRaising the Main Sail

PYou know that in order to sail, you must first raise one of the sails! When sailing with both the main and the Genoa, the main is raised first. Raising the main sail requires that you motor so that the bow of the boat is facing directly into the wind. This removes resistance from the sail so it can be raised with the least amount of effort.

PMetaphor - when you meet a challenge you must lessen or lower your resistance. Resistance occurs when you make judgments about the challenge and/or your ability to deal with it. It's an energy zapper. A better use of energy is to focus on the desired outcome.

PGenoa Unfurled

PUnlike the main sail, the Genoa (front sail) is unfurled with the assistance of the wind. Thus, the wind becomes a powerful helper, filling the Genoa as it is pulled from its furled position.

PMetaphor - when your energy is focused on a desired outcome, nature (the universe, God, etc.) assists you to move toward it. You begin to receive assistance from others, opportunities, and information. You are in flow.

PCharting the Course

PSailing from anchorage to anchorage requires making constant adjustments, some small and some actually quite large. Small adjustments are constantly being made in an effort to keep the sails full. Large adjustments, in the form of tacking (zig-zagging toward your goal) to make allowance for wind and wave action, must also occur in order to reach the desired anchorage.

PMetaphor - to obtain or reach your goal requires constant adjustment even to the point where it may appear as if you're moving away from it. The adjustments are not set backs but information gathering opportunities necessary to successfully reaching your goal. They occur because you are constantly obtaining new information that would not have been available until you stepped out toward your goal. Sometimes, these adjustments feel like mistakes or challenges. They are only opportunities to fine-tune your desire with new information.

PTime to Appreciate

PReaching the desired anchorage, you pick up a mooring when available or anchor. Now is the time for rest and contemplation. You've achieved your goal of a successful sail. You feel a sense of accomplishment. You spent the day in concert with nature, using its power. You were in flow.

PHowever, as we all know, reaching the goal holds only a temporary feeling of accomplishment. In that anchorage, you will set a new goal for the next day and when morning arrives, you'll be excited and ready to begin again.

About the Author
P(c)'00 by Aleta Pippin, founder Authentic Entrepreneuring, coaching for individuals and small business owners who want to unleash your inner power to create true success from the inside out. Take your life and your business to the next level. Visit (http://www.aentrepreneur.com) for more information and to sign up for your free newsletter.