“It is easy to take more equipment than is needed, and equally easy to leave out an essential item through oversight. To guard against both possibilities, it is wise to read carefully the recommendations of those who have had experience.”

- Joseph L. Hasenfus, assistant director of Safety Services for Small Craft Safety

I bought “The American Red Cross: Canoeing” at my local thrift shop a few weeks ago. I have never been canoeing and never plan to, so there’s no use asking why it caught my eye. But it did, and I bought it.

For those of you who have a copy lying around at home, the passage above is on page 343 and it struck me as surprisingly profound. This advice applies as much to canoeing as it does to any part of life. History, for example. When you read a history textbook, you are studying the experiences of those who have come before you. The lessons learned and mistakes made from the past leaves you with a list of things that work and things that don’t. A packing list. Things to bring and things to leave behind. This is important because in the end we are all just a bunch of people coming and going, taking and leaving. There are items on your packing list that were on your parent’s and their parent’s lists. Generations from now, the element that you add today will still be there. But we are all human and no matter how carefully we pack, we forget some essentials and indulge in unnecessary luxuries. Prejudice is one such luxury that the world just can’t seem leave at home. Past experiences of individuals and stereotypes created over the course of generations find their way into your personal suitcase, taking up much needed space. Packing pride or jealousy can mean that we have to leave common curtesy in the bottom drawer, and that bottle of honesty is left behind to collect dust.

So make sure to write your list down, and get it straight. If you don't think about what you just shut into that roller carryon you could find something in there you don't remember picking up. When everyone has their own list we look to each other to confirm what is essential and what is not. Don't let the people with just as much experience as you load you up with unecessary baggage. Find those who have been there before and ask them what you need. Take a good look at your list before leaving to make sure you don't get caught up stream without an oar for your canoe.