Ships Are Safe in the Harbor, But That is Not What Ships Are Made For
Dru tells me that many people who look seriously into Southwestern College decide to “stay closer to home”,or decide that “money is an issue”. While I guess I more or less understand that, I would not necessarily recommend either of those as a good reason not to come here if your heart and gut are telling you this is a good choice and match for your life. It is always “easier” to stay close to home, and money is always an issue, though perhaps it is more accurate to say our relationship to, and fears about money are more often the issue…
Here is my view. We came into physical form to participate in this life, and the highest possible level of joy and experience and adventure. “Staying Safe” is far too often a fear-based or scarcity-based stance or position, the ship in the harbor bobbing to the all too familiar, and barely challenging tides.
It is not wrong to be cautious, it simply may put limits on the life you will get to live. There ARE at times really good reasons to stay close to home…each of us will answer in our hearts if our reason is a good one or an excuse…and who wants to say this at the end of this life
“Well, I never actually pursued my passion or dream, but I have to say I sure stayed safe and didn’t risk any student loans. I never had to face the uncertainty of having to move across country or build a life from scratch, making new friends and figuring out a different culture. And I never had to look myself in the eye and say ‘Here is your chance to be a healer—I always thought I wanted to be one, so let’s find out if I have it in me…’ But by golly, it sure felt safe…”
I get these are strong words…Usually when I feel something so strongly, and state it that way, it is only to get my own attention, to remind myself not to stay too long in the harbor…if any of it resonates for you, that is great, but I think my primary audience this morning is my own soul and self…
Here is further inspiration…
Ships Are Safe in the Harbor (part of a poem, author unknown)
All I live for is now,
All I stand for is where and how,
All I wish for are magic moments…
As I sail through change,
My resolve remains the same–
What I choose are magic moments,
Because ships are safe in the harbor
But that is not what ships are made for;
The mind could stretch much further
But it seems that is not what our minds are trained for…
Sail on…
Jim Nolan
About the Moderator
Jim Nolan is in his 6th year as president of Southwestern College. He has worked for a dozen universities or colleges, both online and on the ground. He holds a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, and attended graduate school in English/Irish Literature. He reads a lot of books, takes a lot of photos, plays guitar, got married in India in 2010, and has a wire haired fox terrier named Barney. He is the opposite of a guru, whatever that is called.
