I find it hard to believe that many people don’t hear, see, or feel their own calling.
If I had a super-power it would be my ability to feel the little magnet in my heart repelling or attracting me, towards or away from, the opportunities in my life. Actually, scratch that. I believe most people feel their hearts magnet, however they choose to ignore it, numb it, and walk the predetermined path laid out for us by government, obligation, and society. I’ve never been a “rational” man, nor do I aspire to be one. The wild side of life is just so much more fun!
That being said I’ve been questioning my magnet, or internal compass if you will. My brain tells me one thing, and my heart tells me another. I believe we should ALWAYS follow our heart’s direction save the consequences!
Should I sail South towards home and my wife, or should I be more prudent and wait to see what happens with tropical storm Ana? My heart tells me to wait when the weather service tells me its fine to proceed. I’ve forgotten how stupid that computer voice that lives in my VHF can be. I don’t have the VHF weather service in the areas I choose to sail (out of the country), and I’m grateful for it.
The other day, against my better judgment, I left Atlantic Highlands New Jersey and sailed a few hours south on a beautiful sunny day. I had the sails up on Eleanor for the first time, very exciting! The low pressure system that was approaching the Carolinas hadn’t been given a name, and the GRIB files (weather information) looked good for the Delaware, and Chesapeake bays. Sailing friends were telling me to “Go, Go, Go”, but something just didn’t feel right. It was too calm, too comfortable for the North Atlantic.The little hairs on the back of my neck stood up.
My internal compass told me to turn around despite my overwhelming desire to sail south towards Panama and my wife. So here we wait, back in Atlantic Highlands New Jersey reading, napping, snacking, and relaxing. Waiting for mother to carve my path forward. Waiting for the wind and sea to grant me passage south.
What will this time bring, what opportunities will present themselves to me? This is the magic of voyaging and the seed of adventure. This is where I am a wealthy man, I have time, and I have the ability to listen to my heart and the subtitle vibrations that resonate throughout my life.
No more should I question my internal compass. The wind is what it is. It is my consult, my friend, and my teacher. I must listen to her without question, and I must respect her decisions. She has never let me down and has always brought me where I needed to go despite my whims or desires.
Eleanor, Todd, and myself will most likely be sitting here throughout most of next week. If the weather gets bad I may take a mooring from the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club. I was up at their clubhouse last night. A really nice group of sailors!
I must say that despite the delay in my journey south I needed a little time to slow down and screw my head back on. I have been pushing myself physically, emotionally, and mentally getting this trip started and a little break is welcome. I’ve been taking a few naps a day and getting back to the calm and spiritual place I like to live within.
If you need to contact me, please do so through email and not any social media, my email address is listed below.
Peace.
Sail far and live slowly.
– alex dorsey