Sometimes the Spinnaker is Needed
(an excerpt from my forthcoming book: “The Light Within: Taking Care of Each Moment with Acceptance, Enjoyment and Enthusiasm.”)
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Spinnaker
Flying the spinnaker gathers the winds from abaft and propels the sailboat downwind, surfing on a tightrope compass course.
- Dwayne Newton, Captain, Yemaya San Francisco
The spinnaker (emphasis on “spin”), is a sail designed specifically for sailing off the wind from a reaching course to a downwind location. When the spinnaker fills with wind and balloons out in front of the boat, it is called flying. The spinnaker is constructed of lightweight fabric, usually nylon, and it’s often brightly colored. (thanks, Wikipedia).
Just like reefing (in too much wind) and tacking (using wind resistance to move forward), running with the wind is also an art. There’s even a pop song written about it; cue Christopher Cross.
Metaphorically, spinnaker is a term we should incorporate into daily living, especially in the Covid-19 era. We’ve gotten pretty good dealing with resistance. There’s been quite a bit of top-down resistance since March, mostly for our own protection. We’ve adapted and moved forward.
When there is no resistance, it’s appropriate to run wide-open; it’s time to run downwind.
Let your brightly-colored spinnaker out, and watch it fill with air, and propel you forward, almost effortlessly. I sometimes find that I have been in siege mode (adapting, dealing with life) for so long that I forget how to run wide-open.
Running wide open can have its own hazards, self-control being one. A spinnaker can turn on a sailor very quickly if he/she is not paying attention (see photo above).
I also find that running wide open tends to make shut-down individuals nervous, or jealous.
They may try to take the wind out of your sails. What you call “wide-open,” your detractors may term “impulsive.” A spinnaker can be quite threatening to someone, especially if they’ve never experienced it.
