Like a Duck

“It looks like that’s where you belong,” said my husband.

We were slowly paddling our new kayaks through the reeds and lily pads of South Manistique Lake.

Yes, indeed. This is exactly how I like it: Like a duck without the muck.

In my kayak, I have a waterfowl’s eye view: A panorama that extends from below the water’s surface to wildflowers at the water’s edge to the sun or moon. Simultaneously, I can see several worlds—without getting dirty or (too) wet. Yes, I know: I’m such a girl.

It’s the perfect solution to my lifelong predicament: Being a Princess-and-the-Pea with wanderlust. I’ve discovered how to pursue one of my passions in a suitable fashion: How to get right next to nature—in comfort.

What are you passionate about? If you’re not sure, there’s an easy way to tell.

A few days ago, I was talking with a friend, explaining what it feels like to be in a kayak and describing the things I saw on South Manistique Lake: A loon lifting itself halfway out of the water, flapping its wings and calling in an effort to distract me from its mate cradling their chick under-wing; a kingfisher with a bad hair day plunging headfirst into the lake in pursuit of fish; and the water lilies that sometimes start blooming underwater.

She said I was shining.

Find your shine. Ask people you trust to tell you when they see you light up. Once you’ve pinpointed a passion, pursue it whenever possible. It can’t help but brighten your life!

		Lily Pad
		Lily Under Water
		Find Time to Pursue Your Passion