Small Goals

An Ode to the Achievable: An Apostle Islands Postcard

This week the Little Dipper went into the water, or “splashed” as boaters say. It is always a hopeful, optimistic time with thoughts of adventures to the far-flung reaches of the islands swimming in every boater’s head.

But too, I always try to take a moment and slow down at “splash” time, to remember what it was like the first time we slipped the Little Dipper into the water, the fear and intimidation I felt setting out on the BIG lake. Those first trips were small steps, often taking me no further than the closest of the Apostle Islands, Basswood, and the very southern and closest tip of it at that.

Slowly, I built up my courage, learned the boat, and finally got as far as the north end of Basswood Island, a place called “Honeymoon Rock.” It was not very far out. Other boats zipped by like shooting stars, leaving me in their wake. But to me, it was a small victory, an achievable goal. A milestone. (I wrote of that journey in an essay called “The Quest for Competence.” Read it free by clicking below):

And even now sometimes when I could steer the Little Dipper to more distant, seemingly more exotic islands, I’ll veer off on my way up the North Channel, cut the engine and just drift off Honeymoon Rock for a time, remembering.

Call it an ode to the achievable, a celebration of small goals. May you too celebrate “small goals” this week. See you on Wednesday with a brand new original essay for paid subscribers.

— Jeff Rennicke

(This Apostle Islands Postcard is an offshoot of the Little Dipper blog. Paid subscribers also receive an original illustrated essay directly to their inbox every Wednesday morning exploring the beauty, adventure, and sense of place in the Apostle Islands. If you are not yet a paid subscriber, click below. Join the journey.)