- Those who feel as though they are riding along in a canoe, allowing the river to take them where it pleases, laying low in smooth waters and throwing a life jacket on in the white rapids, accepting the path and dealing with the future as it comes, looking over to see what the land has provided and eating what they are given by the water. Think, passive.
- Those who feel as though they are driving a car and are making choices at every intersection, speeding through uncomfortable neighborhoods, stopping to go to the bathroom when necessary, taking on hitch hikers when bored, feeling in control of their choices, plotting courses, looking at maps, and crashing into walls when not looking (waterfalls happen in canoes so no one is safe from catastrophe, the difference is this type may drive themselves right into it, while boaters just let them happen) Think, active.
While both have their pros and cons, I have always felt like I was in a canoe. My own personal canoe. I ride along, sometimes taking smaller branches or tributaries hoping it meets back with the main source (this sometimes requires some work and paddling to get back on track) but most of the time, I just go with the flow. I think whenever I try to be a car driver I get completely lost and freaked out and end up driving below the speed limit and people are honking and I miss the streets I was looking for. And paddling up stream is a total nightmare filled with exhaustion and wasted effort. I am sure some people are very good at plotting their own courses and making things happen for themselves, but when I try to decide what is best for me, I am usually proven wrong. I find that what I need, when I need it, and how much, is decided by time and space and provided to me when it is just right (I have several examples of this from my life experience) Sometimes I may feel just on the cusp of something big, the water swirls and rises, then sometimes recedes. I accept it and feel fine going with the flow. It takes the pressure off of me to not feel like I have to be responsible for making changes. I am feeling some serious turbulent changes in my river right now though! In a very fun and exciting way! I am reluctant to even talk about it since the water has been stirring for some time now and as of yet, has not fully transitioned. May not be time yet. Still, it gets a bit quicker each day! If it slows again, it will likely be business as usual here and I won't bring it up again. But maybe I will put my life jacket on, put on my goggles and get an oar just in case.
I love metaphors. What type of person are you? A rider, or a driver? Have you ever thought about it that way? Do you think you switch it up, or do you have an inclination to one or the other? You don't have to even comment on this obviously since you may think I am completely full of it, but maybe think about it for a minute. Maybe the way you have been traveling through life has been causing you some unnecessary stress or stagnation and it may help to switch it up.
These shots were taken by Paige last Saturday after we watched my town's parade (my two men walked in it!). We had parked by this old barn and I had always wanted to take pictures there so we just shot a few!
Strapless dress (a hippie skirt actually pulled up): Vintage thrifted
Members Only Jacket: Vintage, gift from a crazy girl I don't know anymore
shoes, belt, hat: Vintage thrifted
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29 comments:
Just on time I came here:) First, I'll say taht I feel like I'm in a canoe of life not mine and I'm always trying to use it like a car, trying to go somewhere else, stop or I don't know speep up or slow down... But nothing really happens with my afforts...
Oh I loved the skirt-dress... And the hat is so beautiful... And this is a favorite combination for me... Lovely dear :)
Wonderful metaphors. I think I'm in a canoe though I aspire to drive a car or bike for that matter.
This barn looks like something right out of a movie.
I'm totally a car driver - I'm always on the move, on the lookout for the next thing, going out there and grabbing opportunities, trying to make things happen. I've learned in the past couple of years though that sometimes if you go out there and push hard on everything, it starts to move the other way. Plus this lifestyle tends to make me highstrung and a worrywart - I can't completely turn that off, of course, but I'm trying to make a conscience effort to be more patient, more go-with-the-flow, not such a go-getter constantly. I've been doing pretty good with it, though it's hard sometimes, and I find letting go of some of that control has really put me at ease. Great metaphors - very thought-provoking (and great outfit as always!) :D
I'm a driver, for sure. But sometimes I have remind myself to relax and enjoy the ride along the route I chose for awhile. Being a driver means setting yourself for more mistakes, yes. But if you allow yourself to test out your chosen route to see if you enjoy, you will discover paths you otherwise would not have found if you were on a canoe. And if you don't like it, just take the next turn! I'm married to a rider so you can see where this could create tension. He's constantly having to hang on to the sides screaming, are you sure you know where we're going? I may say, "yes!" but in reality I'm really not sure most of the time. I just have faith in my ability to keep an open mind, look for the positive in every situation, and change course if it doesn't pan out.
Well now, that is one big metaphor! I've been trying to decide where I think I lie on the spectrum the last 10 minutes while getting ready for bed. I think I am more of a canoe, at least when it comes to major stuff! I hesitate here, because I am a big *thinker* but I tend not to dwell on big decisions, I just take the route that seems sensible at the time (I do not necessarily recommend this method), and when I doubt a past decision, I tend to get back into the swing of it all quite swiftly.
What I wonder though, is whether passive or active is better when it comes to the game of life. Does one lead to greater self-accomplishment? Hrmmm. I'm not going to sleep now, thanks!!
On a lighter less philosophical note, something about that background and/or outfit makes you look super tall!!
Also, I am curious about what is on your mind/going on to prompt this discussion, hee hee. Mysterious.
Okay, sorry for the long comment!
You always give me some really interesting things to think about. I think it's always easy to be the rider..and go where life takes you. And there's nothing wrong with that. But i do think there is a time and a place to be the rider, and then to be the driver. Take hold of your life and make tough decisions!
This post definitely woke me up and got my brain started for the day! thx;)
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xo
that dress is so cool!!!!!!
XXX
i too feel like i'm in the canoe of life just drifting about, letting the higher forces lead me to where i belong -- but i know that taking the wheel and making things happen is great as well, just as you said. i try to do everything in moderation -- love and hate are my only exceptions to this rule! great post! thanks! :)
katie
Hats are sooo great to jazz up an outfit :) Don't u think?? Love urs :D
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http://tugbaseckin.blogspot.com/
http://tugbaseckin.blogspot.com/
interesting metaphors, I'm definitely a driver, but don't get me wrong, I sometimes wish I was more carefree and go with the flow, I tend to over plan and have ridicuously high expectations that will never be fulfilled unfortunately.
I am the Canoe. I CAN be the car... but I don't really want to. I'm a very easy going person...... and very laid back. In fact people who are too much on the go can get under my skin!! LOL Love the cute outfit!
oh you look beautiful!
This is an interesting analogy! I would say for me personally, I'm definitely a driver.... but it has less to do with me than how I was raised. I think that could have something to do with it, and in my case, it has. I've always been pushed to take risks and take advantage of EVERY opportunity, whether this means excelling in school, taking trips to Mexico with my school's environmental club to save sea turtles, play soccer, send about 20 college applications out, and other various things. I've always been an opportunist and took decisions pretty seriously. But that's just me!
I love your outfit, you look so casual and content :)
This is a really interesting bit you've just posted here...
I am an extremely passive individual in nearly every considerable way. So, immediately I identify with the canoe scenario. I absolutely go with life's flow, often times lazily paddling back to an area of the river I know well.
however...
By the time I finished reading this post, I had done a quick (very quick because I'm a genius like that) review of what has actually gone down in my life.
And honestly, as an outsider I think I would lump myself into group two. Just going by the facts of what I have done in life, I think I would be judged as such.
So I find it wildly fascinating that I consider myself a canoer, but maybe even you would consider me a driver...
Is this a matter of reason vs intellect?
perspective vs reflection?
I don't know but you have given me a LOT to think on, my dear.
ohmygodhowrudeofme.
I came here and just went on and on and on about myself.
That was not polite.
I wanted to say that I love the MO jacket and am floored at how well it suits this outfit. If you had maybe just explained it to me over the phone I'd be like, "wait, with a floppy-ish red hat and a kind of hippie dress? I don't get it."
But seeing is believing and this is groovy, lovely, and very sharp.
ALSO- those flats don't happen to be Bandolino's, do they? I have a couple that look eerily similar (obviously we're sole sisters), but mine are unfortunately in rotten shape.
This is so topical for me right now. Just last night, my boyfriend and I were talking about how we perceive life and our futures. I'm definitely in the canoe and he's in the car. While I just try to take on the day as it comes, he's plotting and decision making his every move. I recognize that we have choices but I still doubt that we have much control over the outcome of those choices. There are too many variables in life- I tend to believe that "life is what happens while you're busy making other plans." In any case, the boyfriend is beginning to have doubts that we can continue on together in two separate vehicles...
This outfit is AMAZING. Love it with the hat and the barn!
As for your metaphor? Hmm... I have been thinking about this sort of thing lately. I'm like you, when I think of myself in the drivers seat I get all frazzled. Yes I never seem to be able to lay back and enjoy the ride without putting my oar in for very long.
I always remember this proverb: A man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
And it makes me feel better. Makes me think that even if I make a wrong turn, my steps are still being directed. And even if I am laying back in the boat I am still going somewhere. So I don't know whether I am passive or active. But I do know that my life has ended up in some beautiful lakes and tributaries far better than I planned or imagined!
--I love how you are always so thoughtful and interesting!!
I'm pretty sure that sometimes I'm driving a car, but my canoe is just on the roof of it waiting to come back out.
I love the jacket with that dress!
I would like to be in the canoe, as much as I try to be in a car.
I love your hat.
A driver. Most definitely. And, you look amazing. I could never pull off the things you wear because I'm shaped too differently, but your style is so inspiring.
I love the hat.
I would have to agree with you. I think that, for the most part, I am in my own little canoe, just viewing the scenery as I float along, paddling only when I find it necessary to shift my life a little. :)
Love your metaphors. So beautifully written. I'm definitely the active, car-driving type.
I am so obsessed with your style. So chic and cool. I only wish I could look as cool as you when I get dressed, haha!
Melanie@UnravelledThreads
Can you be a bit of both? Because I believe I'm both a canoe and driver.
Great metaphors...maybe I'll think on it more.
Also, I love your dress and the hat...you always look so chic in a hat.
Oh man! What I would do to get my hands on a Members Only jacket! Great outfit!
Thanks so much for your lovely comments on my blog. I'm new at all of this so coming from you it really and truly means so much. Thanks for your inspiring words! Bisous xoxo
http://www.bisouonline.com
I used to be in a canoe, but realized - at least for me - the stream was not going where I wanted to. I was feeeling like more of a victim in my life than an active participant. I do whole-heartedly belive that floating along as a passenger will still provide you with what you need - but not nessesarly what you want. For myself, I had to decide if that was enough or if I wanted something more.
I think I am in a canoe. I've always thought how interesting it would be to be a driver, (to know your career, your path - to start at your goal and work backwards) but my tendency & strengths lie in defining the process (to reach out, make connections, sort of narrow goals/paths as I travel onwards). It has something to do with how little I investigate my feelings until they come bubbling up, I think.
Anyway, I've been following for awhile & haven't commented. I enjoy these kinds of posts from you. I also enjoy your fashion (of course!) but especially thanks for asking your readers to think & share with you.
UGh, I am so totally a canoe! When it comes to most things, I'm pretty content to just follow along - esp with social things. I think I am good at avoiding things that I feel like won't be good for me...oh man Christina, you've really got me pondering.
On a lighter note, I like your dress a lot. So on-trend and pretty!
xoxo, Ashley
I’m the driver, I’d love to sit back in a canoe for a change!
This hat looks so gorgeous with this outfit!! I love how it adds color and looks so feminine!
www.thejoyoffashion.blogspot.com
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