BE A HELPER
One of the most frustrating experiences for beginning canoeists is paddling with another person. Why you might ask? Traveling with a friend should be fun, and it can be. However, for many it becomes a nightmare. Both canoeists are novices and their skill set is limited, and as with every new experience in life, there is a learning curve. Applying knowledge is also a learning experience.
Friends set off into the lake or river and instead of a straight line they drift to one side or the other. The person in the front begins to paddle hard on one side or the other, trying to correct the course. Momentarily, the canoe straightens out, but that lasts for only seconds and once again start drifting off course. Because the person in the front is continually trying to correct the course, the person in the rear does not have an opportunity to improve his/her skill set. Because it takes tremendous effort for the person in the front to make those corrections, their efforts are soon accompanied by verbal out bursts like, “OVER THERE!” This only makes the person in the rear of the canoe embarrassed, then angry, and soon both people are slumped over ready to quit. It would be quite humorous if it wasn’t so tragic.
What must be understood is they are a team and each of them has a primary role. Their success is entirely dependent on mutual respect. The person in the rear is the rudder and with little effort by extending the paddle into the water and giving a push away from the canoe he or she can radically change the direction of the canoe. The person in the front’s major purpose is to be the motor and the navigator. The engine of the two person canoe is in the front. The person in the rear paddles, but to correct the movement and keep them on course. The person in the front alerts when there is an obstacle in the river and conveys the proper overall course. If the person in the front will just relax, have fun, and without judgement give the other novice in the back plenty of time to correct things, they will soon be paddling along like seasoned experts.
The reason so many become frustrated is all about a worldly misconception of “CONTROL.” It is for this reason people sadly place a higher value on being in control of the rudder. Personally I prefer the front of the canoe. You always get a better workout and the VIEW IS BETTER! What is most important is to take the proper attitude into the wilderness. Our true purpose in life is to “help others.” No single purpose is more important than another. It is only when everyone fulfills their purpose with the desire to help others that everyone succeeds. No one put it better than Baden Powell when he penned the Scout Oath.
“On my honor I will do my best to:
1. To do my duty to God and Country
2. To help other people at all times
3 To obey the Scout Law
This wonderful triad of thought is centered in the idea of helping others. Helping others is defined by the attitudes contained in the ideas of honoring God and Country and faithfulness to the principles found in the Scout Law. In the near future I will reflect on each of the Scout laws as communicated by Baden Powell.
Friends set off into the lake or river and instead of a straight line they drift to one side or the other. The person in the front begins to paddle hard on one side or the other, trying to correct the course. Momentarily, the canoe straightens out, but that lasts for only seconds and once again start drifting off course. Because the person in the front is continually trying to correct the course, the person in the rear does not have an opportunity to improve his/her skill set. Because it takes tremendous effort for the person in the front to make those corrections, their efforts are soon accompanied by verbal out bursts like, “OVER THERE!” This only makes the person in the rear of the canoe embarrassed, then angry, and soon both people are slumped over ready to quit. It would be quite humorous if it wasn’t so tragic.
What must be understood is they are a team and each of them has a primary role. Their success is entirely dependent on mutual respect. The person in the rear is the rudder and with little effort by extending the paddle into the water and giving a push away from the canoe he or she can radically change the direction of the canoe. The person in the front’s major purpose is to be the motor and the navigator. The engine of the two person canoe is in the front. The person in the rear paddles, but to correct the movement and keep them on course. The person in the front alerts when there is an obstacle in the river and conveys the proper overall course. If the person in the front will just relax, have fun, and without judgement give the other novice in the back plenty of time to correct things, they will soon be paddling along like seasoned experts.
The reason so many become frustrated is all about a worldly misconception of “CONTROL.” It is for this reason people sadly place a higher value on being in control of the rudder. Personally I prefer the front of the canoe. You always get a better workout and the VIEW IS BETTER! What is most important is to take the proper attitude into the wilderness. Our true purpose in life is to “help others.” No single purpose is more important than another. It is only when everyone fulfills their purpose with the desire to help others that everyone succeeds. No one put it better than Baden Powell when he penned the Scout Oath.
“On my honor I will do my best to:
1. To do my duty to God and Country
2. To help other people at all times
3 To obey the Scout Law
This wonderful triad of thought is centered in the idea of helping others. Helping others is defined by the attitudes contained in the ideas of honoring God and Country and faithfulness to the principles found in the Scout Law. In the near future I will reflect on each of the Scout laws as communicated by Baden Powell.
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