“A ship in a harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.”
The source for the above quote is a bit unclear– several online searches attribute the quote to several different individuals– thus I can’t quite say for certain who said it.
Yet, the intention is clear. Ships aren’t meant to be built and left in the harbor. They are meant to sail.
The sturdy canoes and colorful kayaks in the picture above are useless, if they are never tested in the water, if they never carry anyone out over the deep.
Oars are not meant to stand looking like giant fly swatters. They are meant to slice the water, to propel one forward and onward.
I am reminded of these words from The Artist’s Way, which I have been reading this summer: “…the unexamined life is not worth living but consider too that the unlived life is not worth examining.”
Oh.
So… an unlived life can be likened to a list of intentions (or dreams?) that are like boats that just… sit there.
It makes me wonder.
What canoes are parked in my yard?
***
Sharing with Jen at Finding Heaven, Laura at The Wellspring, L.L. Barkat at Seedlings in Stone, and Jennifer for God-Bumps and God-Incidences
Oh may we never be useless just beating our oars in the wind! I love your illustrations.
Amen, I agree!
Beautiful! I love the comparisons…
Blessings on your day!
Thank you, Katharine, glad you stopped by.
“…the unexamined life is not worth living but consider too that the unlived life is not worth examining.” Wow! Those are some words to think about! I am not here to be safe. Am I doing what I was intended to do? Great thought-provoking post!
Aren’t those some powerful words? I love that quote, and the questions and places it leads.
What a great question, dear friend. I’ll be pondering my canoes today- the ones stuck in my yard rather than moving across the water. Blessings on your week.
Canoes– or how about hot-air balloons that never fly! 🙂 (I read your post today– marvelous!)
Anna–I don’t think I’ll ever look at a lake or a canoe in the same way again.
“So… an unlived life can be likened to a list of intentions (or dreams?) that are like boats that just… sit there.”
I would concur–this is a great post to ponder.
Live those dreams!!
Great post. Thanks for stirring me up and challenging me to think. I have been very interested in reading The Artist’s Way but have not. You make me wonder if it is time. Thanks for giving me lots to gnaw on in my heart and head.
I, too, held off on reading that book. I had it for a few months before I began reading it. But, I’m finding it worth the time and effort. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by here today!
and in mine?
I almost ended with the post with a question along those lines… but then decided to keep the post in first person. 🙂
I love your question – “What canoe are parked in my yard?” I’ll have to chew on that for awhile. Thanks for the good thoughts.
An unlived life, God forbid. I’m next to you at God-bumps. Love your photo and words.
Sail on, friend! So glad you get that canoe in the water. 🙂