Dear Reader,
I am writing this post on a boat in the middle of the North Sea. It might sound romantic, but right now – it is not. Louise and I are both down below in our bunks as the boat pitches and rolls (how could it not, considering that the North Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean at this particular spot?) on its way toward the mainland of Scotland. We are on an overnight journey from Shetland to Aberdeen, where we will attend DanceLive, a festival of contemporary dance.
Never let it be said that I wouldn’t travel a long distance to see dance!
I have a feeling I am turning a little green on what the crew, I am sure, would call a calm night. I am also wondering how I can tie this post to my theme of a Year of Excellence?!
Well… I do think it is amazing how we can get wi-fi access everywhere now – even though this connection has been spotty at best. But no, technology doesn’t feel like the right topic for this post.
Instead, I am feeling the concept of “commitment” underlying these words. I am thinking back to the beginning of this year, ten months ago, when I committed to writing a post every Monday about how to make 2011 a Year of Excellence. Commitment has not always been a strength for me, and I had no idea whether I could do it, especially considering my sporadic posting rate in the first year of writing this blog.
And yes, I am well aware that I have two months to go before completing what I started. But for tonight at least, I am determined not to get shut out on a Monday because of a rocking & rolling ship and a fickle Internet connection.
It is easy to give up sometimes, isn’t it?
I am fascinated, though, by what happens when we don’t give up, when we keep going no matter what. Over time, we build stamina. We gain a resilience that allows us to go the distance. That may sound a little dramatic, but think about it… it’s true. And as we build that stamina, we gain a new sense of what is “normal” for us – which allows us to farther than we could have imagined not that long ago.
True, commitment can sometimes be overdone, becoming rigidity. But more often, we must search for that elusive something inside us that allows us to keep going. When we find it, we align ourselves from the inside out – aligning our desires, our values, our actions in the world – essentially, aligning our inner and outer compass.
Whew! I am feeling a little better now, a little less green. I have more energy – more life. Focusing on commitment did something for me; it ignited a little fire inside, as committing and following through so often does.
I found my topic for tonight by paying attention and waiting for what felt right. That’s almost always the best way to go.
I honor your loving heart,
John
Guess you’re not joining us on moving our boat from Seattle via Honolulu, Samoa and Tonga next year? The hardest part for me will be to learn to let things come to me….be still, like you must when you hit the ‘doldrums’ …in life or between Samoa and Tonga….when the winds die down….the beautiful thing about nature is that you can’t force things, rather adapt. That’s what I love about sailing in the South Pacific….. But you are spot on with the ‘paying attention and waiting for what felt right’ necessary in sailing and sailing in life….funny how it takes living to learn this! To wisdom in 2012!
And one more thing…as this year wraps up, may I encourage you to continue to challenge your readers. Sure I could give myself tasks to do, but would I challenge myself enough? Even if I convinced myself that I was, it wouldn’t be different….enough. Your observations and sense of humor, have been worth it. Learning through kindness helps!
Hi Diane – That sounds like a great sailing adventure you have coming up! I agree that sailing is a great metaphor for advancing through life – but that should be no surprise, since the name of this blog is “Intuitive Cartography.” Now speaking of blogs… I wonder if there is a blog in your sailing trip waiting for you to write???
Food For Thought,
John
Thanks for the support Diane, I do appreciate it. And yes, I intend to keep challenging my readers – see my response to your previous comment! I think a blog about your upcoming sailing trip, as a vehicle for insights about life, would make for fascinating reading…
Thanks…..but for some reason I’m felling more like the cowardly lion on that one! :-)!
And look what the Cowardly Lion went on to accomplish! Seriously Diane, you may feel that way now, but see how you feel when the time comes. You will know what you want to do. Your writing may not take the form of a blog. It may be that you simply take a small journal, write down your insights along the way, and do something with it when you return home. Just don’t forget, people who feel fear do great things!
You are sooooh right!