“Telltales, tufts, indicators, flappers, woollies – a dear child has many names. No matter what you call them, they are an essential aid in steering and trimming [a sailboat].” (http://www.wb-sails.fi)
The Finnish sail-maker goes on to describe the use of telltales. “The telltales make the trimming of the sails and the steering of the boat easier. You shouldn’t stick too many telltales on your sails – when sailing, the amount of information streaming in exceeds the capacity of the crew, so keep it as simple as possible.”
The criticality of using indicators to give feedback cannot be stressed enough. Without them, the information you have for guidance in making decisions and setting direction them is limited and often purely emotional. With indicators, facts have voice and information finds its form. Too much and one does not know where to start. With a balance, everything is possible! Setting telltales, listening to what they say, and being open to new directions comes natural to a sailor. Life whispers, reminding me to explore this model periodically as a telltale on staying on the path of dreams and aspirations.
As I think of my life’s telltales, their role and outcomes that followed when I use them, it all begins candor and honesty. Often I use them for a singular purpose; a tool and weapon to push my views on others. When I think of going further, I struggle to be equally candid to my heart and Divinity. I often sugarcoat conversations in the darkness of the night when my heart and God are the only ones listening.
A telltale in my life reminds me of this reality. When everything overwhelms, when I realize I am miserable inside, when stress physically shows up, I know I have lost my bearing. Ideally, I respond with a Psalmist prayer; “Bend an ear, God; answer me. I’m one miserable wretch!” (Psalm 86.1) Often it is just the opposite; I commiserate within while denying anything is wrong on the outside.
Steering gets easier with a true dialogue with the Divine about what is happening within.
