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This is my personal blog, on which I talk about a variety of topics purely as they catch my fancy. Some topics are serious, others whimsical. I love comments and questions so don't be shy, just courteous, even if you don't agree with me. I have another blog, The Story Template, on which I post writing-related topics on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Let's see, a bit about me... I'm married with two children, and spend much time taking care of our family. In my life BC (before children) I was a scientist who did bench research. I am a Christian who came to faith under protest through studying the historic circumstances surrounding the death of Jesus. I've written one novel, A Lever Long Enough, that I'm honored to say has won two awards. I also have written a nonfiction book, The Story Template: Conquer Writer's Block Using the Universal Structure of Story. This book is a programmed learner-type book that helps you, the writer, develop a complete compelling story (novel or screenplay) from a vague idea.

YOU CAN CONTACT ME at amydeardon at yahoo dot com.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Eyes on the Shore



Eyes on the Shore
Steve Goodier

A story is told about a bloodhound chasing a stag.  A fox crossed the path, so the hound chased the fox.  After a while a rabbit crossed the path, so the hound chased it.  Later, a mouse crossed the path and the hound chased the mouse into a hole.  The hound began his hunt on the trail of a magnificent stag and ended up watching a mouse hole!

Not that there is anything wrong with spontaneity.  Some of the most wonderful things have come into my life by beautiful accident.  But there is also something to be said for knowing where we want to go.

Florence Chadwick learned the importance of keeping a goal in mind on July 4, 1952.  She waded into the Pacific Ocean off Catalina Island and began swimming toward the California coast 26 miles away.  The day was cold and her attendants drove off sharks throughout the journey.

Florence had already swum the English Channel twice and, if she could finish today, she would be the first woman to have swum both.  But after fifteen hours in the water, for the first and only time in her long-distance swimming career, she gave up and climbed into the escort boat.  Others had urged her on, but in the fog they could not tell her how near she was to the coast.  She later learned that she was less than half a mile from shore.

When asked by a reporter why she gave up, Florence replied:  "It was the fog.  If I could have seen land, I could have finished.  But when you can't see your goal, you lose all sense of progress and you begin to give up."

On a warm, sunny day two months later Florence Chadwick swam the Catalina Channel, handily beating the men's record.  Only when she kept her eyes on the shore did she eventually arrive there.

Keeping that goal constantly in sight will get you where you want to go.

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From Your Life Support System, a free newsletter sharing life, love and laughter, published by Steve Goodier.  http://www.lifesupportsystem. com

1 comment:

  1. Are you saying we shouldn't have short term goals? Oh, look at the butterfly...Sorry, where was I?

    The story of Florence Chadwick is a great one and a terrific life lesson.

    What prompted this post? Was it spontaneity?

    ReplyDelete