The idea that some folks don't know what's good for them has certainly caused its share of trouble, hasn't it?
This is a timely turtle tale, and one well-told. 🐢
Seriously, I love how you connected the saving theme across such disparate examples. We could take this line of thinking down many a rabbit trail, and it's good to assess our motive when we go about the business of saving someone or something else. That said, quite a lot of what needs saving, in my opinion, wouldn't require the intervention were it not subjected to outcomes of decisions much farther along in the chain of events. The turtle might not know it needed saving, but by the same token it wouldn't need saving if we weren't maintaining pond-shaped oil repositories in our waters. So I say, SAVE AWAY!
If I had not intervened, I would not have the wisdom of this piece to lean back on forever s es go forward. Both your children and your students are fortunate to have your guidance, I'm sure of it! So much of life is strangers towing you ashore, whether you know you need it a lot.
As a parent and a teacher I have long been a practitioner of natural consequences. Having already learned my life lessons, the practice can at times be excruciating, but it seems to have paid off in the long run. As they have grown older I have also refrained from offering my adult children unsolicited advice. Again, often with my tongue firmly between my teeth, but when the moment comes, I've never felt more seen or heard. I'm an empathetic person and as an engineless sailor I hold myself to the same standard, knowing full well when I shove off that I very well may be taking up the oars at an inconvenient time if I have not paid attention to the weather and the wind.
I also teach economics, a course whose central idea is that we make rational decisions to maximize our benefit or satisfaction. I once saw a man, several miles from town, pushing a cart alongside the road, returning from selling ice cream and cold drinks to field workers. My assistant coach, a man without "education", but who'd walked in that man's shoes, understood rational decision making. He explained that the long walk was worth it, because he was earning more money than the field workers he sold to.
I'm not sure why Mr. Turtle finds comfort inside the oil boom, but I do know that each morning the cottontail rabbits, squirrels, and birds are waiting for me on the patio. With scant regard for their own safety they wait in close proximity while I fill the feeders and top off the bird bath.
I was foolishly caught out a few weeks ago. After an invigorating day on the bay with just the right amount of wind and swell, I couldn't get back to the launch. The proverbial "last mile" eluded me, as we all know, you can't sail directly into the wind. Predict Wind had, as it is supposed to do, accurately predicted that the wind would be blowing out of the SW with occasional gusts, and yet, here I was exactly where I knew I would be at the end of the day. Man against nature and nature was winning ... the right amount of wind to get close, but too much windage to row. The natural consequence of heading out in a SW wind.
I did make it home. After watching me tack several times, a couple out to watch the sunset offered me a tow. Once inside the breakwater I was able to gain the reprieve I needed to make way with oars. We all live within systems of natural consequences. The challenge is to remain humble, empathetic, open to learning, and open to help, even when we think we already know the lessons. Cheers!
I had the groan half out while reading your last line. Ah, predictability! Not that common, though, is it??!! I'm always pleasantly surprised by your comments and will be forever grateful that a person such as yourself chose to save a few of the less fortunate among us....thanks for all that, Switter! J
Oh Janice I love your vivid imagery. Oh sweet 🐢. Sometimes we don't know that we need saving.. I have been there,done that and have the t- shirt. Lol. I loved your story very much 💕
So glad you have climbed aboard our ship Miss Cynthia. My t-shirt collection is extensive, too! Thanks for noting the imagery, I love when I can take my readers where I've been.... J
Saving things that don’t realize they need to be saved pretty much sums up my life and career. I’m glad other people chose that life trajectory.
I tried to paste a very appropriate cartoon to my comment but alas, nothing can ever be done for the first time on Substack. The cartoon showed two turtles facing each other while talking. The one turtle is wearing a heavy woolen sweater that extends up under his throat. He says to his friend, “Of course, I just call it a neck sweater.”
Glad it resonated my terrific mentor! It was one of those tales that as soon as he hopped back in, I knew it had to be told...so pleased I did it justice. So ironic that all those boat owners got a tax break last week....~J
Turtles are something. We had 2 cute ones for a long time, left on a trip and put them under the 'care' of someone, and oops! No turtles on our return. And a very non-explanation to where they went. I always think of that Beatles' line, "No one you can save that can't be saved,' when I'm trying to re-arrange the world lately ): Life is crazy, for sure. Love the bevy of boats, Janice Anne. Simply amazing and neat you could see them.
That's a great line, Jeanine; not sure I knew that lyric in its entirety. The mysteries of the world and the hiding places right under our noses... thank you! ~J
The idea that some folks don't know what's good for them has certainly caused its share of trouble, hasn't it?
This is a timely turtle tale, and one well-told. 🐢
Seriously, I love how you connected the saving theme across such disparate examples. We could take this line of thinking down many a rabbit trail, and it's good to assess our motive when we go about the business of saving someone or something else. That said, quite a lot of what needs saving, in my opinion, wouldn't require the intervention were it not subjected to outcomes of decisions much farther along in the chain of events. The turtle might not know it needed saving, but by the same token it wouldn't need saving if we weren't maintaining pond-shaped oil repositories in our waters. So I say, SAVE AWAY!
If I had not intervened, I would not have the wisdom of this piece to lean back on forever s es go forward. Both your children and your students are fortunate to have your guidance, I'm sure of it! So much of life is strangers towing you ashore, whether you know you need it a lot.
I so appreciate your wisdom. Truly Scott.
As a parent and a teacher I have long been a practitioner of natural consequences. Having already learned my life lessons, the practice can at times be excruciating, but it seems to have paid off in the long run. As they have grown older I have also refrained from offering my adult children unsolicited advice. Again, often with my tongue firmly between my teeth, but when the moment comes, I've never felt more seen or heard. I'm an empathetic person and as an engineless sailor I hold myself to the same standard, knowing full well when I shove off that I very well may be taking up the oars at an inconvenient time if I have not paid attention to the weather and the wind.
I also teach economics, a course whose central idea is that we make rational decisions to maximize our benefit or satisfaction. I once saw a man, several miles from town, pushing a cart alongside the road, returning from selling ice cream and cold drinks to field workers. My assistant coach, a man without "education", but who'd walked in that man's shoes, understood rational decision making. He explained that the long walk was worth it, because he was earning more money than the field workers he sold to.
I'm not sure why Mr. Turtle finds comfort inside the oil boom, but I do know that each morning the cottontail rabbits, squirrels, and birds are waiting for me on the patio. With scant regard for their own safety they wait in close proximity while I fill the feeders and top off the bird bath.
I was foolishly caught out a few weeks ago. After an invigorating day on the bay with just the right amount of wind and swell, I couldn't get back to the launch. The proverbial "last mile" eluded me, as we all know, you can't sail directly into the wind. Predict Wind had, as it is supposed to do, accurately predicted that the wind would be blowing out of the SW with occasional gusts, and yet, here I was exactly where I knew I would be at the end of the day. Man against nature and nature was winning ... the right amount of wind to get close, but too much windage to row. The natural consequence of heading out in a SW wind.
I did make it home. After watching me tack several times, a couple out to watch the sunset offered me a tow. Once inside the breakwater I was able to gain the reprieve I needed to make way with oars. We all live within systems of natural consequences. The challenge is to remain humble, empathetic, open to learning, and open to help, even when we think we already know the lessons. Cheers!
Scott, your comment is gold, particularly the last line. But it wouldn't have meant nearly as much without the stories as scaffolding.
I had the groan half out while reading your last line. Ah, predictability! Not that common, though, is it??!! I'm always pleasantly surprised by your comments and will be forever grateful that a person such as yourself chose to save a few of the less fortunate among us....thanks for all that, Switter! J
Love this.
Love this.
Double love! After all those.hoops it showed up twice!! Thank you Debbie. Your support means the world. J
Oh Janice I love your vivid imagery. Oh sweet 🐢. Sometimes we don't know that we need saving.. I have been there,done that and have the t- shirt. Lol. I loved your story very much 💕
So glad you have climbed aboard our ship Miss Cynthia. My t-shirt collection is extensive, too! Thanks for noting the imagery, I love when I can take my readers where I've been.... J
As I am glad to step aboard as well. You have an excellent way of bringing the reader in your experience. Those are our life's T-shirts lol.
Saving things that don’t realize they need to be saved pretty much sums up my life and career. I’m glad other people chose that life trajectory.
I tried to paste a very appropriate cartoon to my comment but alas, nothing can ever be done for the first time on Substack. The cartoon showed two turtles facing each other while talking. The one turtle is wearing a heavy woolen sweater that extends up under his throat. He says to his friend, “Of course, I just call it a neck sweater.”
Please try to refrain from groaning.
Wonderful little piece. It really is inexplicable why the turtle had to return to that death trap.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Constance. He was so intentional, too. The mysteries we learn from... Welcome! I'm so glad you're here. ~J
Terrific story! Oh the things we (want to) save. 💕
Glad it resonated my terrific mentor! It was one of those tales that as soon as he hopped back in, I knew it had to be told...so pleased I did it justice. So ironic that all those boat owners got a tax break last week....~J
Turtles are something. We had 2 cute ones for a long time, left on a trip and put them under the 'care' of someone, and oops! No turtles on our return. And a very non-explanation to where they went. I always think of that Beatles' line, "No one you can save that can't be saved,' when I'm trying to re-arrange the world lately ): Life is crazy, for sure. Love the bevy of boats, Janice Anne. Simply amazing and neat you could see them.
That's a great line, Jeanine; not sure I knew that lyric in its entirety. The mysteries of the world and the hiding places right under our noses... thank you! ~J
I “save” every single turtle in the road I meet on our spring/summer bike rides…7-8 so far this Summer 🥰🙏🤛
Janice Anne Wheeler
21h
Of course you do Pete!! You've always been on of the very good guys!! I so appreciate that we're connected. Thanks and stay cool out there. J