RE: [Paddlewise] gear vs skills again

[My computer is away for a doctor visit, so I'm sending this via web
mail on a borrowed laptop. I hope the formatting won't be too awful.]

Dave wrote:

> My point is that there is more to staying safe than the objective stuff; 
> you have to listen carefully to that subtle inner voice in yourself (and 
> draw it out of others), for it will sometimes tell you to back off when the 
> "science" of piloting and navigation says everything is OK.

You make a good and important point. For someone like myself, who
paddles solo most of the time (some would say that's always a bad idea,
considering where I'm willing to paddle without partners), listening to
my inner voice(s) can present a real challenge at times; especially if
making any sense of the "inner conversation" is the ultimate objective!
;-)

There are times when a "go/no go" decision is easy (objectively
speaking, anyway), and then there are times when my desire/willingness
to challenge myself has to be considered in the context of my current
"state of mind", which can have a "mind of its own", if you know what I
mean. I can look back and say that most of the time, I've been
successful in my judgments, but there have been those rare moments when
I would have to admit that I've had perhaps a bit of dumb luck on my
side as well. Even in those moments, I can learn something about the
sheer force of will, and I'm glad that the mind and heart can sometimes
help to compensate for questionable judgment when needed. 

I *never* go out with the intention of "tempting fate" or "conquering
the elements" (even I'm not that stupid...I hope), but I do enjoy a
challenge at times as well.  Good decision making can be a delicate
balance, and one that I don't mind dealing with; yet again, there will
always be someone who thinks that solo paddling--especially on coastal
waters--is never a good idea to begin with.

Thanks again for making such an important and worthwhile point. 

-- 
Melissa
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