"STROKE"

Canoeing with several boys under the age of 11 can be an interesting experience. Add a fifteen mile per hour wind and this experience becomes challenging. Add to this the attempt to reach a certain destination and this experience becomes a trying one.
Upon embarking from the shore, we encountered a stiff crosswind. If you have ever experienced this in a canoe then you know that the boat acts like a sail, the wind pushing you where it will. This can be overcome with strong paddling in an organized, concerted effort. Ten year old cub scouts don't fit this description. After some quick training and encouragement, we were able to rescue ourselves from drifting into the leeward shore. With a little more work and learning, we could go in the general direction we desired. With application of the training received and much hard work, we actually reached our destination.
This can be applied to our lives and our work. When we first start out it seems that we encounter stiff opposition. This requires us to learn quickly, so as to keep our heads above water, so to speak. With this foundational learning in place, then our technique can be perfected, making us much more effective at what we are endeavoring to do. Emerson said,"that which we persist in doing becomes easier - not that the nature of the task has changed, but our ability to do has increased."
When the winds are at their strongest, that is the moment when we grow the most.
Just a thought from the chainsaw carpenter.