May 17, 2021
Marc Lederman

Sailing is my passion. There is little to compare with being out on the open water, the “canvas” straining as it impedes the wind long enough to provide the force that propels my boat away from the shore, out into the widening sea. One hand on the tiller, the other on the main sheet, you are moving at one with a force of nature that seems, for the moment, to be accommodating. And for a moment in time I feel that I am in control of a power that has been present on the earth from the beginning. It is exhilarating!

But here is where experience enters the scene as that perception of control can be fleeting. The wind changes direction pushing the sail and the boom across the boat threatening to tip the craft beyond your ability to recover. Or, the wind dies completely leaving you stranded alone in the wide water with no other means of propulsion back to home port. Or, at worst a sudden squall or gale-force wind changes your exciting outing into a terrifying ride at the mercy of a wraith that is neither cognizant nor caring about our human frailties.

Yet, I cannot get enough! As you may be able to tell I sail smaller craft, generally under 30 feet, with a single mainsail and one or two headsails, a jib and yes, a flying jib. I am old school and favor a well-crafted wooden boat, preferably gaff rigged for its old-world beauty. But I also appreciate those sleek Marconi rigged boats healing in a stiff wind, sails full, cutting a swath of blue green water trailing an ever-widening double ribbon of white foam. 

All have been enjoyable experiences, if not educational, and I wouldn’t trade them.

So, what does sailing, passion, and bigger than life experiences have to do with writing? In particular what is the relationship of sailing with freelance writing to business? Simply put, like sailing it is the familiarity and understanding borne of passion for life’s experiences that is at the heart of freelance writing. And we strive to bring that appetite and involvement to our writing in order to convey what life is and what it can be to those who may not have had the same experiences. This is fundamental to the way we convey the message of our times, our services, our products, and our passion to reach out to enrich the lives of others.

So, let’s find ways to talk about life experiences that have resulted in following our passions. What works and what doesn’t. What we can do as a community to enhance our lives and, if you are looking for a way to sail on in life, to find someone who can act as a mentor, or take the next step, or just how to hold on to the tiller and steer a course in a freshening breeze. And if you have a topic or two please suggest it, write a post, and let’s see where we go from here.