If your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it.
-- Jonathan Winters
-- Jonathan Winters
I saw the above quote on Sylvia's blog, Sylvia From Over the Hill and it really struck me. It made me wonder if and when I've done this.
Mom used to tell me that as a child, if I wanted something done I went and somehow managed to do it.
Did I?
Thinking back on my life, I guess there were times that I did actually have to go out and swim to my goals. This is a funny analogy since I can't swim.
Art has always been the dreamer and adventurer. Not much frightens him which is probably one of the things that drew me to him. My children are also brave and like their dad go out and swim literally and figuratively to what they want in life. It rather awes me.
What have you had to swim out for?
i swim out to all of my ships. i am too impatient to wait for anything to come to me!
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit surprised you have never learned to swim, I don't know why, lol, I just thought everyone living where you live would swim in that beautiful ocean! I think you are brave for driving when it frightens you so, I suppose I have had to swim to a number of things and sometimes I think I almost sunk but always managed in the end, have a wonderful weekend Kay
ReplyDeleteI really drive only once a week now to the farmer's market so that I don't forget how to drive.
DeleteYou live on an island and can't swim???? There's one more ship for you to swim to. Haha
ReplyDeleteI always had a plan for my life and I never allowed myself to go off course. I guess that would swimming to my ship.
Sigh... I know. People were always shocked that I was from Hawaii, that my kids were such fabulous swimmers and I couldn't.
DeleteOh this made me think because I feel like I've had to swim a bit too. I have always been a bit of a scaredy cat but The Hubby has been good to give me a bit of a push and encouragement. There are too many things that I have overcome to list but I definitely relate to this. Our youngest, Afton in the LA area is like this too. She has always been a child that if she wanted something bad enough she would MAKE it happen for herself. Look she is living her dream right and achieved so much she set out to do at an early age. Love this post. Carla
ReplyDeleteI had to teach myself to swim laps for exercise. I swam to swimming, in a way. And there have been plenty of other things I've had to swim out to, but they are too numerous to list. You forgot to mention writing a blog as one of the things you've accomplished, and a very good one, too. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd jumping out of an airplane with just that parachute would definitely qualify as swimming to your goal as well. :-)
DeleteYou do not give yourself enough credit. I see you making things happen all the time with plants and food and care of your mother. You support the dreams of you family and the things Art wants to do. Your creativity abounds. You are like a fish, you swim so much!
ReplyDeleteAwww... thank you, Annie. You are very kind.
DeleteI need to swim out to my muse and shake her by the shoulders!
ReplyDeleteI like that, swim out to your ship! I also admire adventurous people, being naturally cautious myself.
ReplyDeletegetting a divorce and living on my own as a single parent of three sons...
ReplyDeleteMe? Ha! What did I NOT have to swim out for.
ReplyDeleteAnd Dina, you are such a strong swimmer! I've always admired your determination and courage in making the most out of life for yourself and your family.
DeleteWell, thinking about your question suddenly made me realize that like Dina, it's been more of the question, what did I NOT have to swim out for!! But it's been fun and exciting and rewarding and I'd do it all over again! Wishing you and your family a beautiful holiday season, Kay!!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
A very happy holiday season to you, Sylvia and thank you very much for that wonderful quote.
DeleteLife....I'm now clean and sober 29 years, and I too got a college education and sold a lot of art. Life indeed.
ReplyDeleteYae, Mage!!!
DeleteBelieve I've spent most of the time swimming for shore!
ReplyDeleteOh Kay, I posted the rose I drew based on your photo today
ReplyDeletehttp://cmlk79.blogspot.ca/2013/12/paint-party-friday-tea-party-for-tracey.html
I LOVED what you did with the rose, Christine. I'm very honored that you painted my rose.
DeleteMany things I have had to swim for and lucky me, I am a good swimmer--or was. Can't remember the last time I was over my head in water.
ReplyDeleteKind of like the idea that the things I accomplished did not come floating to me on a big boat. No satisfaction in that.
Oops! I permanently erased a comment Adam erased earlier and that caused his subsequent comment to disappear so I'm just pasting this on for him.
ReplyDelete"Adam: Well though my life's goals aren't perfect, I can metaphorically swim better than literally."
Swimming my whole life. Never drowned although I came close a couple of times. Dianne
ReplyDeleteSeems you've done well, even if you wear a life jacket. Maybe you should drive a bit in Kansas, and a lot of the fear will disappear. The first time I drove a rental car in Honolulu, was the last. Honolulu, Chicago and New York should not permit individual drivers.
ReplyDeleteI've charged out and swam for a few things important to me. Life is a bit easier when I get to tread water or float a while.
Let's see, the YMCA has swim lessons for adults. If you don't technically learn to swim, but sure a swimmer is around you with the grandkids where you're around water.
And, I bet you can prepare a fresh pineapple faster than anyone else!
Aloha, DrumMajor
I made sure my kids learned how to swim at an early age. They both became very accomplished swimmers on their high school swim teams. I told them if the plane ever went down, one of them needed to save me.
DeleteTrue. I can cut a pineapple. Driving in Hawaii is really, really scary!
Like you, I can't swim, but that hasn't stopped me from "swimming out to my ships", so to speak. It was often a struggle to overcome ME to become the person I am. We seem to have that in common too. My mother instilled a very strong work ethic in her children, so doing less was not an option.
ReplyDeleteWe aren't all adventurist and that is ok, but I know as an elementary school teacher you helped your students feel as though they could achieve their dreams with your creativity, kindness and support.... And that takes a special person.... Michelle
ReplyDeleteHi, I liked that quote on Sylvia's blog also. Really makes one wonder, doesn't it??? I'm pretty adventurist by nature --so I'm sure I have reached out for my goals!!!! Sometimes it is the only way to reach those goals!!!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas.
Hugs,
Betsy
I've pretty much stopped swimming. I've tried aiming a couple of times, but have learned to be content in the here and now!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a strong swimmer, but I love the water. The most courageous thing I did was to go back to college in my 40's and finish my B.A. and M.A.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm not the kind of person who always wants to act. I like to think things over and am not enamored of activity for its own sake. There are too many books to read for me to spend all my time chasing around.
I've actually had to 'swim' to get back to Oahu. Career-wise, I was very content doing what I was back on the mainland and coming back to Hawaii as a finale before retiring was the furthest thing from reality that I could've seen. But when the opportunity came up to work and return to 'home,' it took a little bit of self-convincing that this would be the time to get out of the paradigm and take a leap. I'm glad I did! (...and btw, I do love to swim in the pool and the ocean!)
ReplyDeleteVery interesting Kay, you and I are alike in so many ways. Gregg sounds like Art.
ReplyDelete