“Some people dream of worthy accomplishments,
while others stay awake and do them.” – Unknown
I read a blog post the other day that made sense. In a nutshell the piece reviewed a NYTimes article suggesting that getting outdoors was good for the brain. Getting unplugged helps improve brainpower – I could’ve told you so. Of course, as you probably realise (just read through my posts) it doesn’t take much to convince me to go play. Yes, the life of this freelance writer is pretty good – and I’m smarter for it!
Looking up to the col and Northover Ridge (Credit: Megan Kopp)
From the col looking down at Three Isle Lake (Credit: Brad Kopp)
High point on Kananaskis Country’s Northover Ridge (Credit: Brad Kopp)
Paddling the Bow River from Three Sisters Campground to Bow Valley Campground the other day, we were taking it easy. Less than 1/2 hour floating down from our put-in point, we pulled up on a gravel bar and hauled out the cooler for a little picnic lunch. The sun was hot, the chicken bagels cool and we were enjoying watching the warblers flit in and out of the coniferous trees on the opposite shore.
Out of nowhere, two racing boats powered upstream. The tandem paddlers in one of the boats called out to switch sides every few seconds as they ploughed through the current. We said hi, they said nothing, concentration written all over their faces. The single paddler granted us a brief smile. We wanted to tell them they were going the wrong way, but didn’t think humour was part of their makeup this morn.
I admired their skill at navigating rather tippy-looking racing boats upstream along this glacial waterway. I appreciated the effort they were putting into the task at hand. I envied their obvious physical fitness. But even still, I wasn’t slightly tempted to give it a try. I enjoy drifting downstream on a sunny summer’s day watching osprey hovering over shadowy movements beneath the water’s surface. I like listening to kingfishers chatter their way along the riverbanks.
As I watched the racers turn around and head back downstream, paddles flashing, I recalled a recent post on a listserv for travel writers with a slightly heated discussion about writing goals versus actual business plans. Personally I don’t have a business plan – but I have plenty of goals. And I enjoy the leisurely route I’m taking to reach these goals. Could I make be working harder and making more money? Absolutely. Would I have as much fun? Nope. I think each writer needs to find what works for them, in their own situation. Maybe you want to race, and maybe you just want to go with the flow and enjoy the journey.
What’s your writing business style?
“Once you make a decision,
the universe conspires to make it happen.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
