A lot of fun things happened today. Toward the end of the day I ended up on a small sailboat by myself and had to sail it back home. It wasn't very far but it was directly into the wind. It had been years since I last sailed, maybe not since I took a sailing course sometime during college. I knew some of the theory but had little practiced.
I wanted to tack into the wind. I made some progress away from the dock but after 10 minutes I seemed to have made no forward progress in the direction I wanted (the words forward progress were now stuck in my head). Think, think, think... what to do?
If I took too long to get back, someone would have to come and get me and tow me back, I was determined to not let that happen.
Eventually, I caught some wind, the sails filled, the little boat tilted and I made some progress. I cut across the water, against the wind at an angle, then made a turn and successfully filled the sail again, lather, rinse repeat.
One more try, then I was heading right toward the dock at a perfect angle.
I had done it.
Sailing taught me something about relearning things that someone once taught you.
I am grateful for sailing.
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