FULL SPEED AHEAD

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”

Helen Keller, author and political activist

“Tell me, did your Father ever give you any advice?”

“Yes, he did.”

“What was it?”

“I’m from Columbus, Ohio.”

“So.”

“In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“In front of City Hall in Columbus is a giant statue of none other than Christopher Columbus himself.”

“Exactly what is your point?”

“Not far from the statue, docked on the banks of the Scioto River, is the Santa Maria. The ship Columbus sailed on.”

“The real thing?”

“No, of course not. But it’s as close as you can get to the real thing.”

“What do you mean?”

“The world’s most authentic, museum quality representation of  Christopher Columbus’ Flagship.”

“Who told you that?”

“That’s what it says in the little brochure they give you when you buy a ticket to board the ship.”

“You went aboard?”

“Yes.”

“How was it?’

“Interesting, I got to see how the crew lived and worked. There wasn’t much room for forty people. That’s for sure.”

“How’d they do?”

“They got pretty restless and were near mutiny when they sighted land. They had been at sea about five weeks.”

“What about the indians?”

“What about them?”

“They were here first.”

“I’m not trying to offer an argument about that. You asked me if my father had any advice for me and I’m trying to tell you what he said.”

“Well, please get to the point.”

“Whenever I was on the edge. When I was deciding whether to move or stay put in the face of opportunity and I asked my father for advice, his answer was always the same.”

“And that was?”

“TAKE A CHANCE, COLUMBUS DID!”

“And by that he meant?”

“Go for it.”

“Then why didn’t he just say, go for it.”

“I don’t know why. I guess, “TAKE A CHANCE, COLUMBUS DID!” rings with more passion, more courage, more adventure.”

“So, you just blast off in search of adventure?”

“No, you don’t. Columbus had three ships, loaded with men and supplies. They had skills and what’s more important, they had a goal. They gathered as much information as they could, they planned for as many contingencies as possible. Then they set sail.”

“I’m glad I asked.”

“Me too. Anything else you want to know?”

“Yes, but I’m a little afraid to ask.”

“Weren’t you paying attention?”

“Yes, I was.”

“Then TAKE A CHANCE, COLUMBUS DID!”

“Okay, will you loan me a hundred dollars?”

“No, but nice try.”

“A ship in harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are for.”

John A Sheed, author

“Just do it.”

Nike

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