A Fool's Fishing Trip

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As I write this, I am in the middle of a lake, with only my journal, my Bible, an Ernest Hemingway novel, and a fishing pole to keep me and the Father company. Winds have been varying, yet consistently strong, and an unforeseen gale blew my journal out of my hands and into the wet canoe floor below, as evidenced by the water damage on the previous four pages. Although I must bid this journal's mint condition adieu, I rest contented, for the character of this catalog of thoughts has increased tenfold.

I will say, however, that this canoe has been a steadfast companion in these waters, which are never a direct communicator when it comes to changing flow. They are a slave to the wind, ever-bending to its will, without a voice to protest. This has made a steady course virtually nonexistent. I admit that my fishing skills and experiences are so as well; however, one must risk looking like a fool in order to become a master at anything.

After all, isn't a master simply a fool who refused to give up?

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So far, I have not yet caught any fish. I remain empty-handed, yet content. For I did not come here to catch fish, but to find solace in the quiet solitude that comes with fishing. To humbly develop grit and determination, as the only soul leading this craft is me, and as the captain of this vessel, I alone am responsible for its fate. I am exponentially more able to be, as such, the master of my thoughts out here, although I have to continually put my journal down and correct my course, lest I smash into the lake's banks. I see now why sailors take wind into consideration. Even so, I press on into the depths, ever-growing.

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In all honesty, this is my optimal self-care, being in the throes of adventure, trying new things, and acquiring a firsthand taste of leadership. It's not often, yet absolutely vital, that a man practices his command in private and forms and reinforces his values alone, away from the pressure of others. If a man aspires to be an effective, yet compassionate, leader in his field, he must first abandon all desire to show off and perform for those who may only seek to push their own agenda, which encapsulates all human beings. There are only two people their efforts should matter to: God and themselves, and the former mentioned is the only One whose view of us should matter.

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In one's life, there must be a constant resetting of course, lest the pressures of unstable forces push you to an undesirable place.

We do not live in an ideal world. Friends are not as friendly as they should be, neighbors are not as neighborly as they could be, and enemies are not as easily reconciled as we wish they would be. Bad things happen to good people, and good people are not as good as we might imagine. Therefore, asking God for His protection is not a pleasantry we can take lightly, but a necessity we must take seriously (Psalm 27).

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As you may have already deduced, I have plenty on my mind, more so than usual. Such is this volatile time in a man's life, where boyhood is reformed into maturity. But this wild ride is one that I wouldn't trade for all the comforts and leisures that this world offers. Never lose sight of life's many beauties.

Now, off to casting another line and basking in the warm, wild sun.

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-JDH