Lessons from the River: Point Positive

Over the past few years, we've cultivated a deep love for multi-day river rafting trips. I mean, single-day trips are good, too, but multi-day trips are just better because there are more of them. 

The river gives many lessons, usually about going with the flow (ha ha) and non-attachment. If it's you versus the river, the river wins every time. 

Another favorite lesson is "point positive." The idea here is that when directing others, you always point where you want them to go. If there's a big ol' scary obstacle you don't want them to hit, you point away from that obstacle. Point positive. 

I've learned similar lessons in mountain biking - your bike will go wherever your eyes go. So, if your gaze stays fixed on that rock or that tree, that's precisely where you will end up. 

The goal in both cases is not to live with rose colored glasses. You need to know there's an obstacle. You need to have the skills to avoid it. And then you need to focus on where you want to end up, not the obstacle. If we stay transfixed on the obstacle, we can't help but be drawn to it. 

This is also true in my life - it's only a little helpful to know what not to do. It's a whole lot more helpful to know what to do. So just think of your friendly river guide and point positive.