One Month In

I can't believe it's been a month since the Rendezvous and our very first outing!

I spent a couple of weeks getting more work done to get ready for being on board full time and getting out of the house, but for the past 3 weeks I've been calling Xta-Sea II home.  

There is no doubt that the boating life if rich with metaphors for all of life. It is also a life that appeals to a certain kind of person. Being on the water, sacrificing creature comforts for the experiences that come with the sacrifice and work of the lifestyle. The same could be said for anyone with a passion for experience outside of the norm.  Rodeo, ranching, RV'ing, Acting, professional athletes etc. 

Some days have been bigger, milestone days, but every day has been special. The best days have been completely unplanned and I was able to experience them just because I was there.  I was out there doing what feels right and focusing on my joy and unexpected experiences filled with more love and significance than I could have ever planned find me. A wise preacher once told me in a counceling session, the first I'd ever had, "it sounds like you accept that sometimes bad things just happen, no matter what you do to try and prevent them, but it sounds like you only think good things can happen if you plan and work hard. You know the best things can come when you are still and sit in your faith." ( I should have had more then and have had MANY since, therapy 5 star highly recommend) They say in life you keep getting put in situations to teach. you what you need to learn until you learn it... 12 years later I may be starting to get it.

When I was planning and looking forward to this time, I had a picture of how productive I'd be.  Exercising every morning, writing and painting and working on the boat. I've worked hard enough and stayed busy but I've also probably spent 75% of the past few weeks sleeping and staring at the water or at trees and just being.

The trip over from Port Orchard to Tacoma was exceptionally significant. I think it set the tone and was the catalyst to a more leisurely start to this adventure. That trip was so calm and peaceful.  The weather and the traffic - the route had no other boats for me to worry about. No major wake to manage.  There was a period of time coming around Vashon Island that the air was so still the flag on the back of the boat wasn't even moving.  The water was like glass. It was like drifting through a painting.  I was able to pop down to the cabin and get the blue tooth speaker I'd forgotten and turn on some music.  The first song that came on from my "based on your recent likes" list was Tyler Rich-Leave Her Wild. 

It was such a perfect moment and I laughed out loud, and couldn't stop. That laughter turned to crying and sobbing that I couldn't stop- I tried. Then thought, why? In the moment, it was so perfect I didn't want to ruin it with tears, then I realized they were such happy tears.  I could physically feel every ounce of strength it had taken to get through this past year relaxing. I had no where to be, nothing to do and I was here, in this place with sunshine on my face and calm all around me. Complete, divine release.