Waiting for "perfect" conditions...

Opportunities are easily lost...

while waiting for perfect conditions.

- Gary Ryan Blair

Easing out, "conditions" look good.

Some pics from our paddle last week will have to suffice today. There was a small window of opportunity, this afternoon, to get out on the water for a few hours. An Environment Canada "wind warning", however, served to close that up pretty tight. A forecast of southeast winds of 80 - 100 km/h is pretty persuasive. Needless to say, a great (and safe) day on the water in a sea kayak is always subject to many variables - especially wind. Today, the marine weather, is what it is. So there was no long debate, no second guessing about whether to launch or not. The predicted winds were simply going to be way too strong. We'll find a land-based activity for a few hours. End of discussion.

"Race you 'round the buoy!"
Giving Joan the camera gave me a nice head start, of course. :)

Much of what we all do in life is subject to certain "conditions". Fair enough. Sometimes, however, we wait a long time, maybe too long for those conditions to satisfy us. We postpone an event or an activity, or a new direction or a decision in life...until the conditions are perfect. We've all been there. Well, conditions are rarely perfect - for much of anything. My dad, never idle for long, used to gently remind me, "Life isn't a dress rehearsal - this is it, so get on with it." Hearing those words used to bother me as there always seemed to be a certain safety and comfort in procrastination, in deferring decision-making.

Howe Sound and the snow-capped mountains
- the perfect backdrop to a "mango paddler".

As I get older, however, I become increasingly aware of the value of time...and how quickly it passes. I understand now that my father wasn't simply restless or impatient. He knew that excessive time spent, waiting for the proverbial "ducks to line up", is time lost forever. Marvellous opportunities may be left untapped. The so-called conditions will never likely be "perfect", for what it is we may dream of doing or achieving.

Exploration and discovery in life, requires us to accept a little (and sometimes a lot of) uncertainty. So, what to do? Gathering together all the available information, assessing our own abilities and commitment to the goal, and using good common sense, we sometimes just have to step out in faith. We're usually always glad we did.

And, interestingly enough, many a good paddle has proved that to be an excellent strategy - as I'm sure many of you already know. :)

Duncan.

Images: The Flat Top Islands and the Salish Sea from Gabriola's east / north side.
PS "Mango" won the race around the buoy - but only because of the head start. It was too close for comfort, she's fast!