My heart and mind this Monday morning…
Nobel Prize winner, Andre Gide, wrote, “One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time.”
I thought about that single sentence all weekend.
I let it sink in to the places of my heart that needed it most.
How safe life would feel or seem if we’d never taken any risks–if we’d stayed on land, and only admired the view from the beach.Β How stable life would feel with solid ground underneath our feet.Β How comforting a life of familiarity would become.Β And yet, we stepped on the boat.Β We took a step of courage to discover new lands.Β And in my heart, I knew we would lose sight of the shore.Β I knew this fact would be unavoidable.Β But it’s the ending of Gide’s sentence that I was not prepared for–the “very long time”.
With every step, I feel the waves rock the ship making me queasy and unsteady.Β With every storm, I want to believe the waves in front of me can’t possibly get any bigger.Β But when we take a step of courage and leave the shore behind, we consent to lose sight of safety, familiarity and sometimes even assurance.
Julia Cameron writes, “We may wish for faith to make us fearless and invulnerable, whereas in reality faith may render us fearful yet willing and very vulnerable…faith opens a dialogue and it takes faith to continue it.”
I have an aching in my heart the last number of days.Β I think it comes from a mix of places; a weariness of fighting to believe the impossible is possible while seeing loved ones suffer so deeply.Β I think it comes from a place of discouragement and weakened faith as the economy’s state is no longer a surprise but a disheartening reality, affecting dear friends who struggle to enjoy Christmas with their kids while knowing their foreclosed house will be up for auction soon.Β I see the brokenness in myself; my own painful past and the fears and insecurities that diligently wait by my bedside–ready to greet me every morning.
If only my hopes were as loyal as my fears–what mountains I would move.
But even in the midst of all the frightening waves and fearful unknowns, I taste the salt air on my tongue.Β I have a view of the sunrise that few see.Β And I am learning new skills that living in the unknown requires of me–skills that living on land would have never asked for. And do you know that I see you here with me?Β Yet, some of you are still under the deck trying to convince yourself that you are not meant to live on the sea.Β Trying to tell yourself that dreams, all your hidden dreams, are meant to stay hidden.Β But the truth is that we left the shore a while ago.Β Whether you realize it or not, you have set sail for a new land full of discovery.Β Won’t you come and see?
xoxo,
m
Thank you Me Ra! This is what I needed to hear this morning!
Wow! So poetic Me Ra, how you’ve put your thoughts and feelings into words. Your description of the Soar! Scholarship journey sounds pretty dead on too. π
Great writing to start a Monday morning off – kinda feeling in the mood for some sailing now. π
Have a great day!
hey lady. this is good stuff. i’m giving you a cyber hi five, k? i think life, truly lived puts you out on the water, away from the shore…watching it fade away. in the end that’s better i think. great post. π
Too true. ‘Life’s a journey’ is not just a saying, it’s the truth!
Oh, and as if there was any doubt, I support SOAR!
Living on the opposite coast what you are saying resonates with me.
I have this old adage that goes through my head sometimes. “Red sky at night sailors delight. Red sky in morning, sailor take warning.” They used to say that when the dawn would be red and orange that there was a storm brewing. It’s even a quote used in the bible… check out Matthew 16:2-3
Funny thing is… EVERY time I see a red sky, I just sit and stare at the beauty. Isnt it AMAZING how beautiful nature can be. Even if its about to rock the boat!
I NEEDED to sail! I NEEDED this last year! I am scared of what lies ahead. I am scared of what I have left behind, but I have also learned on this journey. There is just TOO much beauty to pass up this voyage!
IF you are wondering if you should submit a video, I say there is NO question. I would NEVER give up the experience of this past year. I also look forward to this new year with an open sea worthy heart.
Love it! Thanks for sharing your heart … I still believe you need to consider writing a book on dreams & courage. Be blessed & know you are a source of encouragement to many!
Love you lady!!!
I support Soar!!!
Great post, thank you.
Our home was auctioned off last year around this time, so your care and concern for your friend was so touching to me. It made me wonder if any of my friends were concerned and I didn’t even know it. ??? I never even contemplated that before. Hmmmm?
It’s not always been easy, but I’ve kind of grown accustomed to bouncing around here in the middle of the ocean on my little life raft. π But I’m not sitting idly by waiting for a ship to pick me up, if it happens great, I’d be grateful for a lift. Until then, I pray like it’s all up to God and I paddle, and paddle, and paddle like it’s all up to me.
On a good day an Orca whale breaches the water and I’m gobsmacked.
You are right, and now’s the perfect time for us all to come up onto the deck and get a taste of the salty air. With the New Year right around the corner, it’s the time of new beginnings. Thank you for the inspiring words!
Hello could I have recourse to some of the content from this record if I tie-in back to you?