"Music and flowing water are the same thing;
especially the more potential danger it carries, the better our reasons should be for doing it.
As fantastic and as exciting as paddling is, since those extra conse- quences are right there, you need to consider your river choices not only as a paddler, but as a father or son, as a mother, daughter, or friend. The bigger the consequences, the better the reasons should be.
One good answer many people have is that they take the enthusiasm they have for the river and apply it to the other things they do. The river charges them up, eases their frustrations, and makes them better people. That infec- tious good will and passion are worth their weight in gold.
Another answer is mindfulness. You
can't paddle something even halfway difficult and not be forced to pay close attention to the subtleties of the fea- tures and current. A single experience of being completely focused on the moment will remain with you, vividly and convincingly, for your whole life. Use your mindfulness on the river as an inspiration for what you can do when fully engaged.
A final issue is perspective. As in- tense and meaningful as paddling may be at times, no matter how far you push your skills, the hardest things you'll ever do won't be on the river. I've pushed myself very, very hard in kayaking. I've done a lot of first
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DISTINCTLY MONTANA • SPRING 2012
LOUISE JOHNS
