From the River Banks
I asked a teacher-friend if she’s ready for the start of the school year.
“The last two weeks have been very busy for me,” she said, “but I don’t know that I’ll ever be completely ready. It’s a little like jumping on a raft as it moves downstream with the current. It’s not going to stop for me, but if I don’t get on, I’ll miss the ride.”
She continued: “Likewise, the school calendar doesn’t slow down for me to catch up, but my work is there — scheduled – and I don’t want to miss all that comes with it. So I prepare myself as much as I can, and, ready or not, I just start when the kids come in the door.”
We both laughed. But I walked away wondering: How often do any of us wait for the rapids to calm, or the raft to edge up onto the banks of life to give us a chance to board—easily, safely, while staying dry!
The truth is, life doesn’t stop. We do need to jump aboard an opportunity as soon as we see it, or else we miss that particular one.
For example, my writing calls. My journals are still loaded with questions and ideas. My painting calls — the stories are everywhere, observable, ready to be explored and told, with both brush and pen.
If I don’t tell my stories, who will?
Lisa Canning wrote a blog post called “Ten Steps to Finding Your Artistic Voice.” Just one of her excellent points — good for everyone, not just artists, but all creative people — is this:
“Be who you wish to seem. What type of artist (professional, worker, pastor, musician, writer, etc.) do you want to be? What audience will you serve? What will your medium be? Will you be politically oriented? Will you dedicate your energy to the classics? Will you serve as a bold visionary?”
Put in your own words for whatever fields of interest you have and want to pursue. Find your raft, I guess I’m saying. And don’t delay on the banks forever. Time does not stop for us…
What do you think? So what if we get wet and have to paddle like mad? It’s worth it, isn’t it? Please feel free to share… over coffee.
It’s good to see you again. Thanks for stopping in… The coffee’s always fresh and hot. I’m learning to make the cold slushy coffees too. 
Barb
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Barb … good to see you again .. you’ve certainly described the way life keeps on flowing by. We have to get on the raft at some stage .. and we can do as much as we can, or cope with a few loose ends.
Time doesn’t stop does it .. it’s balancing life too .. and it’s so important to have future goals around our passions – they inspire and lead us on.
Thanks – so much for reminding us .. term is coming up .. cheers Hilary
Hilary´s last blog ..Lenny Lee – Creatures, Critters, Georgia on my Mind, Red Arrows …
Thanks for the coffee!
And nothing else? Don’t I have any more words to say, something in response, a comment? Actually, I do, but they are, as yet, more of a scent wafting in the air than words. Everyday it seems I am failing and trying and then some, and what you say ties in so neatly with other stuff I have been thinking, reading, that I had to connect… but I knew I wouldn’t make sense, so – thanks for the coffee – the iced slushy one!
Swati´s last blog ..ScH2Ools****
Of course it is worth it. An opportunity passed is a chance of an experience wasted. Like I always say to my friends. Life is a live performance with no repeats or retakes. Like it or not, everything you do or don’t do is an experience which goes to make you the person you become or want to become.