The Calm Within

Cruising

Early Tuesday morning I drove my parents to the Grand Rapids airport. They are going on an Islands of New England small-ship cruise. 

I love this for them! And, I especially admire my Mom’s sense of adventure and her resilience. 

They haven’t flown in YEARS! When you start by asking if your tickets are going to arrive by mail? You know the whole experience is going to be an adventure.
​😀

​Here’s to getting out there!

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“I have learned how to trust myself . . . 
perhaps one of the greatest gifts of getting older is realizing
that trusting myself isn’t selfish;
it is finally becoming someone I can count on.”

​~ Alice McGinty, 96 years young

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Hi friends!

I am loving September Summer!

Sure, the weather is a little less predictable these days . . . I’ve been rained on during an outdoor sound bath and a soccer game; choosing to leave ALL our windows open the other night may not have been the best choice (brrrr!); and, some of our recent boating attempts have been less than stellar. 
Too much wind. 
Zero wind. 
Flies. 

And you know what? It’s all been pretty great. 

This is my favorite time of year for boating. Having fewer boats coming in and out of our harbor means I breathe a little easier the entire time. And, the sunlight streaking through the moody sky? What a show.

On Monday, as we were coming back into the channel, a monarch nearly landed right in the palm of Mike’s hand. 

It’s interesting. Every time before venturing out on the boat we look at the weather, the radar, the marine forecast, the Holland buoy report . . . with all of those data points, you’d think we’d know what we’re in for. 

Turns out, we are often surprised. And that’s one of the many reasons we love getting on the boat! It is different every time . . . always an adventure.

I get it. The word “adventure” sounds both exciting and fun. 

In truth, “adventures” can be exciting and fun . . .and they are more complex than that.  

I’m sure my parents will have moments of uncertainty, challenge, and discomfort throughout their cruising adventure. 

All of that could be avoided by staying home. 

Getting out there, getting out of our comfort zone and our routines, can be discombobulating. 

I’m hoping their cruise strikes the right balance for them. That the fun, the beauty, and the richness of the experience outweighs the challenges. 

I think putting ourselves out there is a lot like caring for our muscles. 

We need to stretch, and strengthen, our ability to adapt and flow and get out there. 
It’s also important that we pick up the right-sized dumbbell. 
Too much weight = too much challenge . . . and then we don’t want to do that ever again. 

Maybe part of knowing ourselves is learning how much stretch is enough.

I love the quotation featured above. ⬆️

I hope each of us acquires the wisdom to be someone we can count on. 
So, here’s to checking the forecast, gathering the data, and getting out there!
Hopefully all the way to age 96! 😀

With love and light,
m