Chapter 03
Confident at Sea
Letter 3 To Mrs. Saville, England. July 7th, 17—. My dear Sister, I write a few lines in haste to say that I am safe—and well advanced on my voyage. This letter will reach England by a merchantman now on its homeward voyage from Archangel; more fortunate than I, who may not see my native land, perhaps, for many years. I am, however, in good spirits: my men are bold and apparently firm of purpose, nor do the floating sheets of ice that continually pass us, indicating the dangers of the region towards which we are advancing, appear to dismay…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Build Your Reality-Check Network
Think of a major decision you're currently facing or a big goal you're pursuing. List three people whose judgment you trust and who would give you honest feedback - not just support. For each person, write down what specific perspective or expertise they bring that you lack. If you can't identify three people, brainstorm where you might find those missing voices.
Consider:
- •Look for people who have succeeded AND failed in similar situations
- •Include at least one person who thinks differently than you do
- •Consider whether these people feel safe telling you hard truths
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you made a decision with incomplete information and no outside input. What happened, and what would you do differently now?
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