It’s been a very long while since I have allowed myself to have dreams of the world again. Maybe it’s COVID and an idea that this might be over soon, maybe it’s the fact we’re having a GREAT stand of weather here in North Carolina who knows – but it feels good. One thing I have dreamt of doing since I was a teenager was sailing a boat around the world. This started with a book called Maiden Voyage. I was hooked. Then when the internet allowed me to read blogs of people circumnavigating the world by boat it did nothing but fuel that dream. The idea of setting a course to some far-off destination way over the horizon and getting there at 7-10 knots sounds like a slice of heaven. The journey, the destination and everything that happens along the way! Travel is so important to me as it allows me to see things from a different point of view. I once read that changing your mind is like crossing a border, you’re still the same person but things look different. I’m a strong believer in different is good. Maybe not always better, but still good.
I had an opportunity to share this dream of mine which wasn’t much helped by re-reading Ali and Pat Schulte’s Bumfuzzle.com website. These crazy kids took a 3-day sailing lesson on Lake Michigan, sold everything they had, bought a boat in Florida, outfitted her and promptly sailed her around the world. As rookies! I’m not sure if they were foolish, fool hearted or just wickedly smart. What I’ve always enjoyed about their blog is reading how Pat describe how he and Ali always seem to be on the same page, obviously marriages are give and take, but they have a partnership I envy. They’re still traveling full time now with two kids both born out on the road.
I wish I knew why all of sudden I’m dreaming again. Literally and figuratively. I am sleeping well and waking early feeling refreshed and happy to greet the day. It’s as if there’s a sense of balance that is back and a feeling of calm I haven’t had for a very long time. Perspective maybe, who knows. At the end of the day the why isn’t as important to me as leaning into this feeling and letting it wash over me.
That last point is important as I’ve been trying to embrace being uncomfortable. I recently listened to a podcast where Pema Chödrön (She’s an American Buddhist teacher and nun) was discussing just that topic – how to be comfortable in the space between known and unknown. Maybe it’s a little woo-woo but it spoke to me. Between the woo-woo Buddhist philosophy, dreaming of ocean travels and discovering this song https://youtu.be/0E1bNmyPWww as well as hearing my old standby Crosby, Stills and Nash song – Southern Cross https://youtu.be/Bw9gLjEGJrw I’m dreaming of seeing the southern cross and enjoying that journey with someone by my side.
For now, I’m going to focus on enjoying tonight and look forward to a tomorrow filled with goodness and light. Stay Salty my friends, be someone’s rock, their port in the storm, give love unconditionally and receive it as well. Be kind to others, be kind to yourself.