Mettle Maker :: Until It's Done
I read this and thought 'yup. isn't that the truth...'
Then I thought 'you should post this...'
Now it's done. E Voila!
Mettle Maker :: The things you think you can't do...
Everyone has things they think they can't do - and then push comes to shove - suddenly these things that felt impossible are a thing of the past.
I was very nervous about working on a tug boat. I was just certain there would be all these things I couldn't do. Mostly physical things - throwing around large hawsers, pulling big wires, climbing up the sides of barges.
Here's the thing. My trip is almost over - and I did all those things.
When I left on my trip my friend Baisey (you can look her up on Etsy!) made me a sign to hang on my wall that says: 'Say yes and Go!' .
I have to remind myself constantly, 'you're capable. you can do this. you've handled worse. you just need to try.'. I have to remind myself constantly to say yes and Go!
I have to remind myself constantly to go and do the things I can't.
Mettle Maker :: Face It
I spend so much time in my head that I make the 'facing it' so much more difficult then it needs to be.
I couldn't agree with Mr. Conrad more. Sometimes you just gotta Face It.
Mettle Maker :: When Plans Go Awry
I am usually the girl with a plan. It's not usually a plan that makes sense to anyone else - and sometimes my plan is mistaken for spontaneity - but it's normally something that I've given a fair amount of thought to.
For about a year now, I've essentially been 'plan-less'. It's a feeling that I don't like. It leaves me restless and anxious. Unsure about where to go, what I want, and how to get there. I have to be honest and say, I've never felt this way before.
I had a plan. A good one. Then my ship was reflagged and sold and it felt a little like getting punched in the mouth.
A couple months ago I ran across a quote from Viola Davis and it really resonated with me.
“One thing that is missing from the vision boards is what happens when you don’t get what you want, your ability to adapt to failure, and navigate your way out of it, absolutely 100 percent makes you who you are.”
Losing my ship when I did couldn't have happened at a worse time in my career. I had just gotten my Captains license and, by being displaced I was set back years, actual years, in my quest to sail as Master.
Except, that with most things in life 'getting punched in the mouth' has really taught me a lot. A lot about myself, about persistence, about not burning bridges....and about burning some that should be burnt, about family, about friends, about having a good attitude, about heart and home and about making the best of what you've got.
Being 'punched in the mouth' and 'plan-less' has done one hugely important thing. It's taught me that I swim. Sink or Swim? I swim. I always have. Just keep swimming? I'm there. I refuse to sink? Damn straight. Which leads me to maybe one of my all time favorite quotes.
“They say don’t burn bridges you may have to cross later. I say I don’t mind swimming if the bridge was fucked up to begin with.”
Getting punched in the mouth, burning bridges, swimming for your life - these things help you. It never ever, ever feels like it at the time but, they define you. They make you stronger, they give you perspective, they show you what you're capable of.
What do you do when plans go awry? Whatever you have to.
Mettle Maker :: A Plan
I am constantly planning. I write notes in my day planner, I write on post its that I stick into my day planner, I have lists on my phone, I plan. My plan changes a lot. Some of that is due to my shipping schedule and some of that is due to my personality but, I'm rarely without a plan.
As you dive into 2015 make a plan to actualize those goals!
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Mettle Makers - GOING BIG
I have favorite things about this blog. Of course. Some things I love sharing, some things I really think hard about before posting, sometimes it feels like pulling teeth when I sit down to write and sometimes, it just feels effortless. One thing I always love is sharing are Mettle Makers.
The history of the Mettle Maker - somewhere around two years ago I got my first Chief Mates job. I was frazzled. To say the least. I had quit a job without having anything lined up. Somewhere around that time Bridget left a comment giving me kudos for mustering my mettle (I looked really, really hard for the original comment and just ran out of time). The word mettle stuck with me and I decided to keep it around.
The word felt old fashioned and sweet. It also felt so strong - it can't be a coincidence that it sounds like Medal and Metal.
“met-tle
/’medl/
noun
a person’s ability to cope well with difficulties or to face a demanding situation in a spirited and resilient way.
”the team showed their true mettle in the second half”
synonyms: spirit, fortitude, strength of character, moral fiber, resolve, resolution, backbone, grit, bravery, valor, daring, courage ”
Before I knew it I was making mettle.
I've decided it's about time I start making my own Mettle Makers instead of searching through Pinterest for images - and well, if I'm making them I better be sharing them!
My plan is to deliver them straight to your inbox as a thank you for being my friends! You all have no idea how much you've helped me through the years. Providing me with moral support, encouragement, a quiet listening ear and a judgement free zone to just figure things out. I appreciate it more than I can effectively articulate.
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