A time so long ago that there are no photos in my phone, I set out on an adventure.
A sailing trip, to be exact.
My first that involved jammies as well as a life jacket!
Technically, it was summer camp for young-ish adults. A week or so, island hopping in the Bahamas.
Two boats. Two certified sailing captains. And the rest of us – the campers – for crew!
It was gorgeous. It was fun. And, it was quite the learning experience in living with others!
A 40-foot Morgan is a treasure, indeed.
And, when you bring your toothbrush for several days with 5 other humans per boat, only one of whom you’ve met before, it gets interesting!
Then add, if you can imagine, a whole lot of versions of the way we’ve always done it!
The engineering student from Purdue who said – literally – “But I’m a guy so I don’t know how to clean a bathroom… you do it!” was particularly memorable!
Let’s just say that my son, in Kindergarten, was a considerably more capable human! And what I learned was to stay on that road… even when it was hard!
Here’s the Cliff Notes version of the trip…
We sailed. We snorkeled. We dodged jelly fish, which was particularly terrifying for me! We sang. We danced. We ate fabulous food. And we pondered faith questions… personal and connectional.
Did I mention that we disagreed?
Then, on our last night, when we had to get the boats back by morning, there came a storm.
No starlight. Waves. Lightning. Wind. The whole deal.
And one of my boatmates and I were steering! Through, I might add, the Bermuda Triangle. On the midnight watch.
Clearly, as you are reading this, we made it. And, I suspect, you’re wondering why this story, now.
The answer is kind of odd. Midterm elections and a painting journey called Vivid!
Well, not them separately so much, as the place where they’ve been crashing into each other inside me.
The photo is, indeed, my Vivid painting-in-progress, resting up after quite a bit of laying it down yesterday.
There’s more, of course, and we’ll get there, soon. (I promise!)
For this moment… somewhere deep inside me, the path is clearer and I am claiming my power. Intentionally.
(Which is a bit different than feeling it, but the place to start is right where we are!)
For now, laundry. Next week, video!!! Let’s just say that it’s a good thing I’ve been layin’ stuff down!
And one more moment for sailing…
Imagine, please, that we’re sitting on the deck of our boat, rocking gently in the waves, and watching a Sunday evening sunset in Nassau harbor. It’s time for some singing.
Miraculously, Joan Baez has joined us! With her guitar and about the closest thing I can imagine to a Statement of Faith for this moment…
The punchline is – as punchlines are – clear to the end!
ps… live big! Put me time on your calendar for December 17 at 2pm ET. And stay tuned… We’re going to unstick some stuck stuff… free!
pps… glorious BLUE wall art for your favorite spot. Or, for a first time voter??? Affordable museum quality art print from an original painting. Yours, at FierceArtWithHeart!