I have missed far more photographic moments than I have ever captured, and I have experienced many fishing days where I've been completely skunked. Although I rarely hunt these days, more often than not in years past my hunting skills fell well short of expectations. Target shooting, fishing, canoeing, camping, photography have all contributed to what most people might see as an indication of a failed attempt. But, failure is a harsh word to describe such things for I see those moments as a series of steps toward success. There is a difference in thinking when it comes to accepting that sometimes, results fall short of expectations. Successful completion of expectations takes effort and the results are far from certain, but...that is exactly why I try.
The trick is to adjust expectations for the moment and look at the situation from a positive perspective. I remember once, a good number of years ago now, back in Oklahoma I took a co-worker and younger friend of mine on his first canoe fishing trip. All week we talked about it and I may have elevated his expectations by building up this little lake as having produced several good bass over the years. He was all excited about getting out come that Saturday. Of course he was late arriving for our early morning start...which by the way became a bad habit of his...and we missed the early morning fishing opportunity. All through the morning both of us made cast after cast after cast without a single hit of any kind. By mid-morning he began to grumble and gripe. By noon, the day in his mind was turning into a waste. By early afternoon I was getting rather tired of his griping and decided the fishing trip was over and so we pulled out early. During our fishing time and on the way home, I tried to redirect his negative thinking toward just how much fun it was to be out on the water in the canoe. We had a beautiful day and there were other values just wanting recognition. Yet, in his single minded focus the fishing was lousy so the day became a big waste of time. To him, the day was a failure. His incessant griping put a damper on the day, even for me. Even so, I loved just being there and would have enjoyed the day in spite of the lack of fishing success, but his attitude pretty well ruined the day for both of us. I never again took him fishing.
By this time in my life I had learned how the outcome is the least important element and just being there was what actually mattered the most. A positive outcome is simply the icing and a positive attitude will make any day afield a good experience. My late good friend Ralph became instrumental in teaching me to think this way and he did so by example. I never knew of him to grumble or gripe about the situation regardless of the circumstances, and we experienced just about every kind of situation. His attitude was one of first, just being able to get out and enjoy the day and second, let's see if we can catch a fish or two along the way.
Sometimes I will head out with my camera hoping to discover some exciting moments of light. Rest assured, many of those times the light was simply not there, yet I was still able to experience a great morning or afternoon because I set the camera aside and listened to what nature was offering.
Many times I have done similar things during other situations. I'll set the fishing rod down and sit on the creek bank and just allow the motion of the water talk to me, or instead of fishing from my canoe, I'll stow the rod away and spend the day paddling around getting up close to explore some tucked away cove or rocky bluff or watch a high flying eagle or osprey do their acrobatics. They, after all, are certainly far better at fishing than I ever will become.
I love to just sit behind a campfire and listen to its song and absorb its aroma. No two of them are ever the same and each one develops its own personality. Seeking out a sunset while doing such things can be one of the most soothing and calming of moments. I often find myself alone during such times, and for the most part, that is what I prefer.
Moments such as these are what define success afield. Each of us who pursue such things must develop our own definition of what that should look like. For me, just being there is success enough. Storing those moments within the memory banks of my heart is like having money in the bank.The trick is to not deplete the value of such things by allowing negative attitudes to overdraw the account. Just enjoy the opportunity in whatever form it is given.
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