Sunday, June 5, 2011

"Skillful Sailors"

Over the years I've had the honor and priviledge to row with some truly great gondoliers.
Some have even come to row with me here in Newport.
One of those wise rowers is a guy named Bob Milspaugh, who got his start somewhere else, but has ended up on one of my boats - spoiling many of my clients.
I always know the folks on board will come ashore happy when they've been out with Bob.

Any time I meet someone new, I consider the possibility that I may gain some wisdom from them, and Mr. Milspaugh is no exception. 
Recently he shared a quote that I've spent a lot of time thinking about.  It's an African proverb that reads:
"Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors."

It's true, it's profound, and it's something I mutter to myself sometimes while fighting a strong wind.


Bob, crossing my bow on an evening
that isn't likely to challenge any "skillful sailors".

Thanks for the wisdom, Bob.
I'm sure I'll mutter it to myself again soon,
as I fight hard against a stiff west wind.

1 comment:

Tamás said...

> "Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors."

As for smooth seas, or the lack thereof, it appears there was some kind of flash storm over Venezia today (13:10 local time)?

First a big block cloud, then all webcams around the St. Mark basin went hazy as if fog hit them and then the image cleared up 10 minutes later and a bit of rain later.

(I mean two of the cams, as the other two malfunctioned during the storm or lost connectivity).

Maybe it's not a big deal for the people on land, but I would have been scared in a boat during that time.