Burn the Ships

​The story is told of a Spanish explorer that arrived in a new land with his ships and men.  But when it came time to explore the new land his men did not want to.  He got them all on shore and then commanded.  Burn the ships.  I guess it is the same as burning bridges.  It means letting go of the past in such a way as there is no way back.  So often it seems, if there is, I use it.
It inspired a song I have been listening to which contains the words, “So light a match, leave the past, burn the ships, And don't you look back.”  It got me thinking about some ships I have had to burn, or the ones I still need to.
Some relationSHIPS fit the bill.  They don’t do me any good.  Never have, never will.  For others they are ok but for me they are toxic.  I do well to say goodbye to them.  Not doing so holds me back.  I may explore new territory, but it is with the knowledge that I can go back to my old ways any time.  The ships are there.
I reckon showmanSHIP can be bad.  Having a flair for the dramatic is one thing, but if it means I am pretentious and showy to impress, I don’t know that is so good.  Actors are great at showmanship and I like that.  It is something I am happy to emulate.  I am not happy to emulate someone showy all the time to avoid showing who I really am.  I want to be real.  Sometimes that means I am not one liked by all.  My only response to that?  Get over it.  I am a work in progress.  When I need to get rid of some showmanship so be it.
PartisanSHIP is also one I have trouble embracing.  The Nazi’s showed partisanship.  They thought their race was superior and set about destroying those they believed inferior.  I am fond of saying that just because I believe something strongly does not mean I am right.  Partisanship I have found can be really subtle.  I may believe I am free from it yet find I embrace a certain people or cause.  It is something that never happens to me overtly.  But it can happen subtly.  When I see something coming, I can avoid it.  Having it sneak up behind me can be a different story.
Australian politics recently went though a period of partisanship.  To me there is nothing that destroys unity like it.  Leadership was like a revolving door.  It was because ones said I support this one or that one instead of getting behind the leader they had.  Sometimes change is needed.  But splits are often not a good look and can be counter productive. 
I told Merril I was looking at this and she suggested memberSHIP.    I can be a member of a club that does not exist except in my attitudes.  Like I can be a member of the “pulling someone down at every available opportunity” club.  Or the “getting my back up and exploding” club.  Or the “woe is me” club.  There are a multitude of clubs I can be a member of, but they don’t do me or anyone else any good.  It is best for everyone I hand in my membership.
I know.  I’m weird.  It is just the way I think.  Just as well I am happy in my skin, as it is the only skin I have and some ships I do well to abandon.