Deliberate

“We are from Troy, Akhaians, blown off course

by shifting gales on the Great South Sea;

homeward bound, but taking routes and ways

uncommon; so the will of Zeus would have it.”*

So did Ulysses introduce himself and his crew to Polyphemus and the other Cyclops.

Even if they never embark on a journey comparable to the one narrated in the Odyssey, all seamen know how quickly winds can change course, speed and strength while at sea. Mastering the seven main points of sail therefore becomes indispensable: one must trim sails accurately and avoid sailing into the wind directly.

When navigating with the wind, deliberate choices become indispensable: sailors weigh options carefully, assess their environment constantly, and shift their approach quickly.

Many choices in our lives are also deliberate – considered carefully and weighed well.

Optimism can be one of them. When life’s winds throw us off balance, optimism’s key components – measurable and buildable (3.47) – help us remember and celebrate our successes and teach us to grow from our challenges.

* Odyssey, Book IX.