How To Remain Calm On A Voyage Of Discovery

Name your vessel with care

(Titanic will not do).

There is magic in a name.

Be prepared. Anticipate rough seas.

Secure all loose objects.

Tuck in your shirt and

lace up your boots. Breathe.

Do not resist change of direction.

Allow the ship to swing and crash.

Yet slacken rigging to allow breakers free.

Ride the storm. Hang on.

Pray to Neptune

if it makes you feel useful.

Grow gills and webbed feet if required.

Flow and ebb. Do not fight the majesty

of the salty kingdom.

Know the dread will pass.

Face your fear.

When you come out the other side

(and you will)

Smile. Count your losses.

Then recoup them. Patch the sails.

Scrub the decks. Sleep.

Then let the compass guide you (or the stars).

When clouds darken your horizon again,

remember you have faced worse

and lived to tell the tale.