Fishing. It’s not about catching

It’s about being outdoors, immersed in nature and, hopefully, absorbed by the quiet. Just you and your fishing pole, some bait or lures. The mindlessness of casting and reeling and watching and waiting. It’s restful. A chance to abandon your lengthening To Do list and the clatter of your everyday routine, whatever that entails. Just kick back, in your lawn chair or boat seat, and bask in a lazy day. Catching a fish is a bonus.

I know my husband will have a great day when he’s backing his truck to hitch up his boat, filling a cooler with water and snacks. He gets so excited when something hits his line. There’s an explosion of energy as he leaps from his seat and grabs the fishing pole, reeling, switching back and forth from cranking up the downrigger and reeling in the line while keeping it taunt. It’s quite an art. He loves the catching part of fishing. He’ll lament his woe on a catchless day. But he’s ready to go the next day with equal enthusiasm, even when the prospects are not great. Because, as he will tell you, “It’s not about catching.”

So says my husband. He fishes a lot.

Fishing is good for the soul. I can tell when he’s reached a point where he needs to go fishing. His psyche’s geared so that he can’t “let down” unless he’s away from the house. His chore list and the vast palette of his shop, garden, equipment, tools, vehicles and structures constantly call to him to tend something.

So fishing is crucial to his mental well-being. Me, I just need a book and a cup of tea and a nice cozy chair. Doesn’t even have to be that cozy of a chair if it’s a good book. A cat in my lap is a bonus. Sometimes. Sometimes the cats want too much attention or are doing that kneading thing with their paws and hooking my clothes or skin, which can be annoying after a while. One of my cats drools (not Mack) when he purrs, and that’s just gross. But you get the idea. I don’t need to be physically removed from my domicile or this town to immerse in my happy place.

This diametrically opposed aspect of our personalities works out well. When my fishing crazed hubby sprints away to Ft. Peck or Canada, along with some pals,–Voila’! He’s recharging and refreshing his mental outlook on life. When he comes back home, he’s happy and relaxed.  Meanwhile, I have a staycation. Chick flicks with popcorn for supper, reading at will, curling up on the couch (cats at the other end, not drooling on me or pricking my skin, but still purring), enjoying the quiet and solitude. And I know he’s at peace with the world, fishing to his heart’s content. We are both in our happy places. The gazillion things left undone on his To Do list will just have to wait.

So, what’s your go-to activity to refresh, recharge and reset your attitude and outlook on your life? Isn’t it about time to re-engage?