This was an 11 day sailing voyage (though I have more days worth below...) ;)
You can read about that fun trip here - Young Endeavour post voyage log
Gav's quotes
Day 1
I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze that it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in a magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time - Jack London (but the question is doing what is it that is worth doing?)
Day 2
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do then by the things you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. EXPLORE. DREAM. DISCOVER. - Mark Twain.
Day 3
It is not the critic who counts,
nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbles,
or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena,
whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood,
who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again;
because there is not effort without error and shortcomings;
but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm,
the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause,
who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst,
if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly.
So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls
who know neither victory nor defeat.
- Theodore Roosevelt
Day 4
Be not content with the commonplace in character any more than with the commonplace in ambition or intellectual attainment. Do not expect that you will make any lasting or very strong impression on the world through intellectual power without the use of an equal amount of conscience and heart. - William Jewett Tucker
Day 5
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. - Martin Luther King, Jr
Day 6
Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race. - Calvin Coolidge
Day 7
Do not pray for easy times; pray to be stronger. Do not pray for tasks equal to your power; pray for powers equal to your tasks. - John F. Kennedy
Day 8
A leader is best
When people barely knows he exists,
Not so good when people obey and acclaim him.
Worse when they despise him.
"Fail to honour people,
They fail to honour you"
But of a good leader who talks little,
When his work is done, his aim fulfilled,
They will say, "We did this ourselves"
-Lao Tzu, Chinese philosopher
Day 9
I went on a search to become a leader.
I searched high and low.
I spoke with authority; people listened.
But alas, there was one who was wiser than I,
And they followed that individual.
I sought to inspire confidence,
But the crowd responded, "Why should I trust you?"
I postured, and I assumed that look of leadership
With a countenance that flowed with confidence and pride,
But many passed me by and never noticed my air of elegance.
I ran ahead of others, pointed the way to new heights.
I demonstrated that I knew the route to greatness.
And then I looked back, and I was alone.
"What shall I do?" I queried.
"I've tried hard and used all that I know."
And I sad down and pondered long.
And then, I listened to the voices around me.
And I heard what the group was trying to accomplish.
I rolled up my sleeves and joined in the work.
As we worked, I asked, "Are we all together in what we want to do
And how to get the job done?"
And we thought together,
And we fought together,
And we struggled towards our goal.
I found myself encouraging the fainthearted.
I sought ideas of those too shy to speak out.I taught those who had little skill.
I praised those who worked hard.
When our task was completed, one of the group turned to me and said,
"This would not have been done but for your leadership."
At first, I said, "I didn't lead. I just worked like the rest."
And then I understood, leadership is not a goal.
It's a way to reaching a goal.
I lead best when I help others to go where we've decided to go.
I lead best when I help others to use themselves creatively.
I lead best when i forget about myself as a leader and focus on my group...
Their needs and their goals.
To lead is to serve...to give...to achieve together.
-Anonymous
Day 10
Many of our failures sweep us to greater heights of success, than we ever hoped for in our wildest dreams. Life is a successive unfolding of success from failure. - William George Jordan
Day 11
This life is the only one you're given
Look for opportunities to grow, and never be discouraged in your efforts to do so.
Don't measure the future by the past;
Let yesterday be a memory and tomorrow a promise
Begin each day by focusing on all that is good, and you will be able to handle whatever comes along.
Take responsibilities for your actions, and
never make excuses for not being the best that you can be.
Day 12
I here and I forget,
I see and I remember,
I do and I understand.
- Chinese proverb/ YC (Young Endeavour crewmember) Member Robin
Day 13
Flatter me, and I may not believe you,
Criticize me, and I may not like you,
Ignore me, and I may not forgive you,
Encourage me, and I will not forget you.
YC (Young Endeavour crewmember) member Loren
Day 14
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body,
But rather to skid sideways,
Chocolate in one hand,
Wine in the other,
Body thoroughly used up,
Totally worn out and screaming
"WOO HOO what a ride!"
- Staffy (Young Endeavour term) Lisa Hickman
The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand. - Vince Lombardi
