Smooth Sailing

Cool blue waters as far as you could see. Blue skies, with puffy white clouds and a smattering of rain clouds that never manifested any precipitation. There was a gentle wind that kept our skin cool in the heat of the sun; dangerously deceptive causing one to defer using sun screen. 

Yesterday I had the opportunity to go sailing again after nearly 30 years of deprivation. 

We were invited and picked up by a couple we’ve only recently met, in Port Huron, Michigan. Despite the newness, our conversations flowed easily and without uncomfortable small talk. At journey’s end we were dropped off at the same point and our hosts went back to their home marina to moor, no longer strangers but new friends. 

The open waters were a little rocky at first for such low wind speed, causing a wee bit of churning stomach, but it was nothing a little medicinal sour cream and onion chips couldn’t cure. We harnessed the power of the gentle wind to experience flying on the water. When the wind subsided, we powered up to continue our voyage.

Near the end of our day we highlighted our adventure with a rescue. We came upon a powerless powerboat and towed the party to the nearest marina; Not because it was convenient or would gain us great rewards, but because it was the right thing to do. 

We did indeed have smooth sailing. However, ‘smooth sailing’ is a phrase that implies ‘ease’, which is rather misleading. Sailing is anything but ‘easy’.

Sailing is a lot of attention to detail, observation and communication. Someone always has to mind the boat lest ye run aground or worse. There are jibs and sails to raise, lower and secure. There are wenches (not the serving kind) with handles that belong 1) in the wench, 2) in its rightful pocket, or 3) in your hand going from one to the other. There is also a very impressive framework of riggings that has had only one major improvement in its engineering since inception. 

At any time, one small line can get entangled with another, causing a mess if overlooked or disregarded, yet with immediate attention, a simple flick of the wrist, and crisis is averted. While it seemed to me that there are a lot of rules to know, I’m told that there are really very few; the most important one being ‘don’t hit the other guy’. 

You must have clear and concise communication on board because sometimes you don’t have a lot of time to convey something to avoid a problem. 

You must understand how to use the sails to harness the power of the wind to go where you want to go, and have the flexibility to know when its necessary to power up by engaging your engine instead.  

You must always be aware of where you are, where the other boats are in relation to you and where you are going. Very rarely do you need to look back when you are at the helm.  

Smooth sailing requires conscious effort. 

Thus it is in living, as well. 

A conscious life requires attention to detail, observational skills and clear communication. Your full attention needs to be on your vessel, not the vessel of others, or you will run aground. 

Simple attention at the first signs of disorder can prevent catastrophic results later. Clear and concise communication ensures effective collaboration. You must understand the workings of your own vessel to harness the power of the universal winds and know when it it time to power up. 

It is important to have a safe harbor to return to or a strong anchor to moor to at the end of each day. 

As the skipper, you must mind your own vessel on your own journey; you can however, companion others on their journey. As in any adventure, sharing the journey with good companions makes it just that much more enjoyable.

While it seems like there are many rules to know, the most important one is ‘don’t hit the other guy’. Taking time out of your planned journey to lend a hand to another in need, may not be convenient, or reap you great rewards, but when it causes you no harm, its the right thing to do. Your handles belong either in your wench, in your pocket or in your hand. They do not belong in the wench of another’s vessel. 

To live consciously, you must always be aware of where you are, where others are in relation to you and where you are going.

And lastly...

...when you do all of this at the helm of your vessel, there’s no need to look backward at anything, except for the occasional glance to admire the beautiful scenary of your journey. 

To read more of Judy Klemos find her here http://judyklemos.wixsite.com/thesentientsoul/the-sentient-soul-blog or here https://www.facebook.com/judith.edwards.942 and if you are really brave you can journey with her as your Mystic Midwife (your personal life coach and energy healer) here judyklemos.wix.com/thesentientsoul email judyklemos@gmail.com