A sailor knows that a boat can’t be sailed directly into the wind, even if that’s where she wants to go. Aerodynamics, hydrodynamics, design and skill determine how a boat will sail, and how close into (toward) the wind a sailboat can go. Velocity Made Good, or VMG, is a sailing term referring to the vector of velocity in the direction of the intended waypoint. VMG is an indicator of how increasing your speed in a different direction, perhaps due to wind or current, might be construed as improving the incident velocity toward your intended target.

Going against the wind to reach a destination could seem unintuitive to non-sailors, but it’s quite common amongst us. Even less, is to increase your speed in that intentional other direction as to improve your eventual arrival time. The trick is to find a sweet spot in the middle.

VMG is a qualified metaphor for our efforts of the last six years. We’re still sailing forward, yet seemingly pushing away from what could look like the obvious direction: Fayaway will be hauled-out again in September, and we’ll relocate most personal belongings back into another quaint and temporary rental… on land, for another winter.

Another year’s worth of careful investments of our time and “boat bucks”, working hard, learning more, funneling focused experience into our virtual bank of life, we’re further guaranteed a bounty of payback. Our VMG is gaining momentum, regardless of our falling off the wind.

A friend applies another interesting perspective here, drawing upon George Bernard Shaw’s eternal wisdom and philosophical writing. https://alexandersmap.com/2021/09/19/natures-pilot/

Sorry Fayaway, Kelly and I have adventures planned this winter without you. While you’ll be undergoing additional refits and a steady stream of upgrades, we’ll be flying, diving and sailing, usually with great friends, into whatever wind we find, but always gaining in so many other ways.

Enjoy life while you can, while steadily pursuing your goals. Kids will roll their eyes, and I’ll keep touting my mantra (from Aesop): Slow and steady wins the race.