Mark Twain said, “So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Here is the complete quote. “Life is short, break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile. Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
It occurs to me that I’ve spent a good portion of my life in the safety of the harbor.
I’ve spent lots of time looking at the maps and charts. I’ve been meticulously planning my future voyage. I have lists of all the places I want to explore and discover. Someday.
But my bowlines keep me safely tied to the dock. I’m never more than just a few short steps to land. I’m safe. I continue to look at my charts, I examine the maps, and I plan my future course.
Sometimes I feel the winds blow across my face or back … while standing on my boat … that is safe within my little harbor. I’ve wondered what it would feel like with my sails filled by the trade winds. I’ve even planned how I’d handle the boat during those moments.
Seems to me I’ve been doing a lot of planning. I’ve been playing it safe. I’m really, really good at dreaming.
Now is the time to start exploring.
Now is the time to begin new discoveries.
Now is the time to leave the safety of the harbor.
Are you an explorer?
Are you a dreamer?
Are you willing to leave the safety of the harbor and discover what’s on the other side of the horizon?
Next Blog Title: Planning versus Figuring It Out as You Go Along
Next Blog Date: August 27, 2012