Life Lessons Learned from Sailing

* Choose your captain well

* Pray for favorable winds

* Find something safe to guide you (horizon, compass, lighthouse)

* Get support (rudders, keels, daggerboards)

* You can't sail directly into the wind (don't kick against the pricks)

* Remember the safe harbors

* Tie good knots

* When in fog, listen (foghorn/guidance from others or from the Spirit)

* Direction is more important than speed

* Running (moving with the wind) is slower than reaching (moving across the wind)

* Be flexible in gusty conditions - you will capsize if you're too rigid on the sail

* Keep your hand on the tiller (don't stop steering)

* Keep moving to have control

* Expect headwinds on your journey (deal with whatever happens)

* When in doubt, let it out (if you let the sail out, it will help you to find the

wind/sometimes we need to give up control in our lives)

* Wear your life vest/be prepared

* Lighten the load

We added a few people to our crew when we went out sailing on Utah Lake on Labor Day.  We didn't have much wind, but enjoyed hanging out in the harbor, soaking up the sun as summer was winding down.  We appreciate Jim, our generous neighbor who loaned us his boats.  He gets credit for the above aphorisms, which he uses when he leads discussions with groups after he takes them sailing.