"Just Fishin"

Since I was a very little boy my dad has always been there to teach me many of life's most important lessons.  Sometimes he would show, sometimes he would lead, sometimes he would let me figure it out on my own, and only when absolutely necessary he would actually tell me the lesson to be learned.  One of the most applicable lessons I ever learned was that "Fishing is not about catching fish."

To some people this may sound like the most ridiculous thing they've ever heard.  Why on earth would you ever spend the time, the effort, or the money to get up in the mountains with the cold, and the dirt, and sometimes even in the rain and the snow if the point isn't to catch fish?....

I could tell you the answer why, but it wouldn't do it justice...... if you really want to know, call me up anytime and we'll go fishing.

This lesson that I've learned has applied itself to nearly every aspect of my life.... let me give you a few examples, some from every day things, and some a little more profound.....

1. When Mr. Miaggi sent Daniel to wax the car and paint the fence and paint the house, the finished products weren't the point.......... the muscle and the skill Daniel gained were what was important

2. When striving for good grades in school, the good grade is rarely the point..... its the knowledge gained thats important

3. When trying to improve yourself athletically wether it be a faster mile time or a bigger max the numerical goal is rarely the point..... self mastery is whats important.

4. When building a project or painting a work of art or doing something along those lines, the finished product is rarely the point....... the ability to create is whats important.

Some a little more profound....

5. When JFK made a goal to put a man on the moon, going to the moon wasn't the point...... national motivation and high patriotic morale were what was important.

6.  When Jesus Christ walked on water in front of the apostles, getting to the ship wasn't the point....... Teaching one of the most influential lessons on faith in the Lord was what was important.

Anyway, life is full of lessons learned.... one of the greatest is that "catching fish is rarely the point."

I hope as I continue posting on this blog, some of what I've learned (and maybe some real funny stories) can be passed to those who read it.

p.s. to those who still think fishing is about catching fish, watch this