Row
I had no idea, at the time, when I created this art, that it is me. On a grander scale it also represents everyone who feels a day late and a dollar short by the world’s standards. I made it to go outside on the wall on the screen porch at the lake house. It wasn't until recently, years later, when I hung it in the Trinity Pond house, that I took a deeper look at it. The first thing I noticed was that the depiction of the sailboat was quite inaccurate. And that is when it hit me–this represents the myriad of things I have made that didn’t measure up, which includes, of course, this art. The little handmade boat in the picture doesn't work very well, though it must have gotten me out into the bay. But now it's getting dark and there is no wind so the sail is limply wrapped around the mast. I am confident, however, that I brought an oar because I know from life long experience how well my creations work so I’ve always included PLAN B in my life operation manual.
This sounds as though I think I failed but success or failure has never been the goal for me because I hold firm to the old adage that no one is a failure who tries and tries again. To strive for excellence, fall short, then strive again is a type of excellence. Even if you never win first prize at least you can claim the noble experience of earnest trying. While I admire and applaud those who are able to declare great accomplishments, even for them, ultimately it's the doing that matters even more than the end result. But those whom I truly respect are those who carry on in the face of insurmountable adversity, who do not quit, and who then accept with grace what they end up with without whining, grumbling or blaming someone else. These are my heroes. What the world thinks of you, as you compete with your own personal best, is irrelevant anyway. When has the collective mind of the world ever been right about anything?
All that matters is what God thinks of you and if you are consistently reaching up, seeking the growth and wisdom that comes with sincere endeavor, He sees and approves just like any father who appreciates the efforts of his child.
So, with that in mind, I decided to dignify this work with a title, however mediocre it might be in the eyes of the world,
When There is No Wind, Row.
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