My Hardest Goal

 

Well,  I  seem to have a habit of biting off big challenges. To try and determine which one is actually the biggest.  One that took the most time,  effort and money was to build and sail a small boat along the east coast of Australia.

The most amazing aspect of this challenge,  in hindsight,  was that I no direct experience or mentor to check over my shoulder.  I did it all from books and personal endeavour.  

Decades later I shudder with embarrassment and wonder how I survived. How did a total novice take to sea in an untried boat,  install solo in all kinds of weather and negotiate potentially risky river bars and tricky anchorages? I not only survived, I thrived! And had a heap of fun.  Now I feel so proud of this package of  achievements and I have some great memories.  

Upon rereading the Writing Prompt I note it asked for the "hardest" personal challenge, not the biggest. But you know I am going to stay with what i've described.  Apart from the challenges mentioned there was also a few hurdles that were not.  To take 8 months to cruising full time,, I had to uproot myself from home and resign a well paid tradesman position of work. But, again, while these actions would now be major hurdles, at that time I took them on my stride.  So full of anticipation was I, that trifling matters like leaving home,   job and secure income were left in the dust with no great regret. 

Add it happens,  now aged 61 I have a boat project underway and again hope to go cruising on get.  Tuis  time my greatest critic is no longer my late father, it is me.  And the voices of fear about secure finances and family, appear much louder.  Perhaps ththis will be my hardest challenge?

Namaste. 


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