by: Rick Johnson 
PO Box 40451
Tucson, Az.
85717
RikJohnson@juno.com
Adapted from a paper by the Quileute Canoe contingent
NATURE IS GOOD
I see the glory of the Gods when I am hiking a trail or paddling a lake. Wherever I am, I see the wealth of nature and as a part of this, if only for an hour, I worship the Gods with my body and mind and soul, all working in harmony to move ever forward.
I PADDLE, THEREFORE I AM
I pull myself through the water, each muscle straining to advance my boat. I do not fight the water or the wind, but I accept and adjust to the flows of the elements and this makes me one with Nature.
ALL PADDLERS ARE EQUAL UNDER THE GODS
I care not if my companion paddles a $5000 kevlar ocean kayak or a $50 used canoe or borrowed a boat one from another person or made one from plywood or is simply hitching a ride in a tandem sit-on-top. Upon the water and under the sun, we are all brothers and sisters of the paddle.
ALL PADDLERS ARE IMPORTANT
The power stroker in the stern of the canoe, the scout anxiously shooting ahead in the small racing kayak, the over-packer in the touring canoe and the joker in the rear. All have their uses and skills and are important to the journey
WE PADDLE BECAUSE WE WISH TO
Every stroke forward is an advantage. When we tire, we beach and explore the land. When we hunger, she snack. When we paddle, we share the joy of the waters of life. We are not forced into our path, we choose to take it, blessing the Gods for our journey.
EVERY EXPERIENCE IS GOOD
When it rains, we feel the drops upon our overheated brow. When the Sun shines, we are warmed. Waves teach us balance and the current strengthens our back and arms. Paddlers complain not for every experience helps us grow within the diversity of Nature.
THE JOURNEY IS WHAT IS MPORTANT
Paddling is not a goal to achieve but a journey to savor. We may plan to do 15 kilometers this day but if we only make one K, then we have experienced and enjoyed the sights of that kilometer of water.
NO ONE KNOWS EVERYTHING
We all support and educate each other. The herbalist teaches us the plants along the bank. The meteorologist knows the clouds, the cartographer shows the way, the boater loans his fleet and shows the advantages of each, the cook makes trail snacks. Each person contributes some value to the sum total that is the experience of paddling.
ONE PERSON MUST WEAR THE CROWN
Although all share equally on the experience of the paddle, ultimately, one person must take responsibility and make the final decision. If not, we all paddle in separate circles and when one capsizes, no one will go to his aid. But the captain has both heart and whip, both used as needed, though people paddle with the heart and desert the overly-used whip.
EVERY STROKE IS A MOVEMENT FORWARD
Each stroke of the paddle advances our journey, even when against a wave or current. Our strokes are a metaphor of life, for we struggle against adversity, learning and accepting and, ultlimately, choosing to go forward, backward or sideways to the shore.
THE PAST IS THE PAST
We see rapids before us, fearing their fury. But, when we conquer them, we look back and know that they are done, over, that we made it through. We use the past to make the future better.
ALL GODS ARE IMPORTANT TO THE PADDLER
The Sun God warms us in our journey and guides us on our path. He wind gods assist us to move and the water gods enable us to paddle. Even the Nature spirits can be called upon to enhance our experience. And let us not forget the God of Parking Spaces, a new god but important for those who choose to paddle on water, not carry a canoe across 1000 feet of tarmac. Few are the Gods we do not invoke.
For more information on Kayaking and Canoeing, go to Tucson Pagan Paddlers
To contact me or to request topics to be covered, send to RikJohnson@juno.com
by: Rick Johnson
PO Box 40451
Tucson, Az.
85717
