Happy Thanksgiving to all.
This is a confession, because as they say "confession is good for the soul". I went to the Bay Area last weekend with some of our club members and other local area paddlers. We paddled around Angel Island on Sunday and out the Golden Gate Bridge on Monday. The Bay was foggy so we couldn't see much, but the conditions were perfect for paddling.
My bud Sean Morley and I had fun guiding our group around. (except when we got kicked off a beach by some jerk off-duty ranger and had someone get sea-sick and puke and then I had to run 3 miles across Angel Island in water shoes and then tow two kayaks across the bay and then...) Oh well, what's a paddle without a little drama. Only the drama didn't end there, after the paddle came a frantic search thru busy downtown Sausalito to find a restaurant and when we finally found one it was packed and they only accepted cash. I felt completely overwhelmed and thought I might lose it in front of everyone. Next I did a terrible thing, I slipped out the door and hid in my truck. After a while I realized that it would be best for me to leave and go back to the hotel.
I realized something, I need some time to myself. Time to get some perspective. I really love to paddle. I love to teach people how to paddle, I love to take people where they could never go on their own, but there are times when I wonder if any one cares or understands how hard I work at helping them get better and go places they would never be able to on their own.
What is it, with us Americans, that when we get a little instruction in something, we think we are so good and we don't need to listen to anyone else. (even if they have 20 years more experience than us) I think it is pure American arrogance, that's what makes us Americans. Americans think they are better than the world! This leads us to pride and pride leads us to a fall. I can't help but make the connection to the American auto industry right now. They think they build the best cars but all other countries are kicking their butt in every area you can measure! I also think about every single story of kayaking mishaps that Sea Kayaker Magazine has published and there is a root of pride that starts with them all.
Today is Thanksgiving and not a time to complain, but to truly give thanks we must first confess, then ask for forgiveness, then give thanks. So with that said, I have confessed and now I ask for forgiveness; Lord, please forgive me for getting upset at people for acting human and the same as I have acted to others. Forgive my pride and allow me to learn more day by day and never assume I know it all. Most of all I thank you for my family, friends, business, kayaking and all of the penguin paddlers.
What a huge blessing it is to be a healthy American with the ability to kayak for a living, may I never take that for granted!
Captain Penguin
