Connecting the Waters
The Gifts of Three Boats
A Memoir by Dave Mangin
It is difficult to truly know ourselves in these times. It is rare for us to find the solitude in which to see what parts of ourselves remain after we leave behind our obligations, expectations of others, fads, and trends that are thrown at us. How often do we get to simply be, and to listen to what our gut has to say, or our heart? If we take the time to listen, and if we hear something, will we have the courage to follow it?
Connecting the Waters; The Gifts of Three Boats is a memoir that I began writing at the tail end of my first paddling season in my newest boat, a cedar strip kayak named Endeavor.
My whole life I had experienced conflict between the essence of who I was and the roles I felt I was supposed to play out in my modern life. My gut would beckon for a simpler life, prostrate to the earth that sustains us all. My head would get in the way of that out of fear of not sustaining myself or upholding my responsibilities to society and my family.
CTW tells the stories of times I actually heeded that call, the boats that came of it, the places I ventured, and the lessons I learned. It also speaks to the strife and conflict that arise when I don't heed that voice, both internal and external.
In the course of building, using, and sharing what I learned from three boats, a formula developed that enables me to wring the richest rewards possible from a given Endeavor; the elements of creating, experiencing, and sharing.
This memoir and my ongoing blog are means of sharing my latest endeavor, which is the creation, utilization, and sharing of my kayak named Endeavor. The ultimate goal is to inspire others to chase down their passions, extract as much meaning, growth, and learning as they can from them, and share what they've found with the world in the most beautiful and harmonious ways possible.
I hope you check out CTW. More than that, I hope you listen to your gut, get to know yourself and this earth, and find the best ways for your passions to serve humankind.
DM me to re-purchase a signed copy through my through my venmo. Reserving your copy helps me finish the design work and get copies to the press. This presale is the single best way to support this endeavor and help it to spread!
The official Release Party will be announced soon.