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Sacred Places

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Good morning everyone. We have had another great week. The fog came
in thick yesterday afternoon and with impending showers we came to
dock early. Had we anchored out I would have been underway as I
write gunning to get to the dock before the rain. Hardly a relaxing
way to finish what has been a great week.

After we finished playing music last evening one guest asked if we
ever have "bad" cruises. Well all cruises are different and this has
been a particularly high energy week. As human beings the crew would
have a difficult time sustaining this high energy pace for 22
consecutive cruises. Without any control over the mix of guests that
come aboard, each cruise becomes a reflection of the individuals
present even if the crew could spend the entire day doing cartwheels
and back handsprings. So is there such a thing as a "bad" windjammer
cruise? Hardly! Is every cruise different? You bet! Do I hope
everyone aboard has a good time? Of course. Can every windjammer
cruise meet everyones needs? Nope. But that may be missing the
point. The point here for me, and I hope our guests, is to enjoy
whatever it is that comes along. This is very much a Zen thing. Or as
Popeye always said, "I amsk what I amsk." It is what it is and it is
always different and it is always good. There is a sacredness and
mystery in every cruise if one is willing to find it. I am honored
that guests share themselves with us. I am happy to share the bay
with those who can appreciate its beauty whatever the weather may be.

Since I published a blog a few weeks ago one guest has been having
fun figuring out where "lobster cove" might be. I have been having
as much fun keeping that person guessing. Here is my answer to their
latest guess:

"Someday I will take you to this special place and when you see the
moon rise above Cadillac Mt. your heart will leap with joy. The
amazing thing is that every place can hold this meaningful space in
our hearts because we need so much to feel the sacredness of nature.
It is a long lost feeling in this day and age and it hurts when we
perceive others treading on our sacredness. I am not sure what the
mooring placers of the world think or feel. Perhaps they feel the
same sense of the sacred but express it in a very different way.
Some folks collect Star Wars glasses from McDonalds while other
photograph puffins. It is all the same, trying to feel special,
coming out in our own crazy ways. Many years ago when I spent time
on the Hopi reservation we were not allowed to use cameras in the
villages on the mesas. No fair trying to steal the spirit of the
place. And I thought taking pictures was pretty harmless but to some
Hopi that is as crazy as my friend who has the entire collection of
Star Wars glasses."

Have a great day. Be well. Do good. Respect the sacred and find new
sacred in each and every day.

Photo by Barry King.

Comments

Anonymous said…
How very true what you have said. As I drove home from the phenomenal week, I had 10 hours to think about the calmness and peace the week brought. What a phenomenal week. We had the best of all experiences, wind, rain, sun, good food, good fellowship and best of all a chance for renewal. I am already thinking about next year's sail. Thanks Barry and Jen and Mary Day family. Hugs Sandy Sievers, Islip, NY of mind I was looking for.
September 15, 2007 at 6:08 PM
Anonymous said…
A "bad" day sailing beats a "good" day at the office any time!
September 16, 2007 at 8:07 AM
Anonymous said…
After being away from America for some time when I returned I spent some time in the west with a Native American whom I had met and his family. Amoung the places we visited was a "sacred" place. They didn't mind taking me to the place, "just honor it as we do".
September 16, 2007 at 8:13 AM
Unknown said…
Your "guest" has a good idea where one of your sacred places is and I suspect he's pretty close. The joy of the game is in the challenge. To deduce the answer by analyzing the clues, putting into use the training gained during the Wooden Boat Course, using the tools available today through computers and the internet, and combining that with age old navigation techniques has made your "guest" and my friend very happy. Keeping the sacred place sacred? Well that's simply a "no brainer."
September 17, 2007 at 8:00 PM
Michele B said…
My bags have been unpacked, things were put away, and I am back at work. Vacation week is over. Ah, but the memories will live forever! Thanks to all of you, captains, crew & fellow sailors alike, for another wonderful week on board the beautiful Mary Day! See you next year, same time, same place. :)
September 18, 2007 at 9:02 AM
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