“MEN WANTED FOR HAZARDOUS JOURNEY, SMALL WAGES, BITTER COLD, LONG MONTHS OF COMPLETE DARKNESS, CONSTANT DANGER, SAFE RETURN DOUBTFUL. HONOR AND RECOGNITION IN CASE OF SUCCESS”
This was the classified ad supposedly placed by Ernest Shackleton in London newspapers before one of his expeditions. It has been widely cited by many writers and speakers as an example of leadership and determination in the face of dangerous odds.
As my son and I brought my in laws boat down from Oak Harbor to Seattle with his grandfather and uncle I immediately realized the importance of the trip. This was real adventure! It had been a long time since the boat had traveled any distance and the wages certainly matched the ad Shackleton placed circa 1914. As boys we crave adventure and as men that desire is still inside of us. We had a great trip, floating the high seas, outracing a ferry boat, navigating the locks, and allowing my son to “Captain” the ship for a large portion of the journey. Was it a right of passage? I wouldn’t go that far, but he certainly gained new confidence as he received honor and recognition for our success.
Sometimes I am so focused on my own selfish desires in life I miss the real adventure right before me; being dad to my son.
Not this time…Ahoy Matey!
