All aboard
You’re at the port ready to jump on the Ocean Princess for the adventure of a lifetime. This is going to be amazing. Think of all the discoveries we’ll make, the uncharted waters, secluded coves, hidden treasure buried on the most tropical of islands.
Splashing in azure waters until our legs give in and then grilling freshly caught fish over a cosy fire on the beach, washing it down with the milk of a fresh coconut. Falling asleep under the stars as the rustling of palm trees and gentle lapping of the tides lulls you to la-la land. Now that sounds like a journey I want to be on. There’s only one problem. There is no Ocean Princess in sight. Only the ghostly Flying Dutchman. You’ve missed the boat.
Your heart drops through your stomach down to the soles of your feet. You know that sinking feeling all too well. Dreaded disappointment that has reared its nasty head on several occasions in the past is now back with a new vengeance.
The boat you missed is not the only boat
For what seems like an eternity you have been stranded on the dessert island called Missed Opportunity. It’s an eerie place in that it shows you mirages of what could have been, distracting you just enough to keep you from seeing what can be.
It’s only when you discover the island’s hidden spring of awakening that you realise you’ve been sauntering in a haze all this time while boats have been coming and going. Damn! I didn’t miss the boat after all. I just missed a boat. There have been several others and I have just been too deliriously dazed to see them. Wait, what, does that mean I have missed more than one boat?
Having the scales peeled firmly from your eyes you can now see a bustling port filled with all kinds of exotic imports and hawking with opportunities. All of a sudden the world opens up again and you discover the boat you initially missed was going in one direction only. Now you’re spoilt for choice.
How to choose the right boat
Like many of life’s great questions, the answer is… it depends. You’ve wandered this island for what seems the longest part of your existence. That means you’ve had a lot of time to think. Maybe too much time. Over analysing every possible scenario to the point of exhaustion. Being stranded in no man’s land has also forced you to acquire essential survival skills. These skills are going to come in handy when you set course for a new discovery.
With so many boats coming and going all the time, which is the right one? Let’s start with the ones to avoid. Steer clear of boats you know are going to take you in the wrong direction. If the voyage is taking your further away from the life you want, putting you in mutinous danger or enticing you into life of slavery. When you see the Jolly Roger grinningly flapping in the wind – avoid the boat at all costs.
There are most likely going to be vessels travelling in several different directions, all of which may be adventurously beneficial. With so many great options the key is pick one. That’s it, just choose the best one for the place you’re at in your life. There will be more boats arriving in future. This is not your one and only chance to do something with your life. So choose the best for now, because now is all you have.
What happens if the boat starts sinking
You better learn how to swim. Hopefully that never happens, but if you’ve jumped on a vessel that’s less than sea worthy, an adventure of a different kind awaits. Often you’ll realise something is not quite right soon after departure. Fortunately you should be close enough to shore to paddle your way back in a life boat. Life’s not perfect. There are times we get sold a dream only to realise it’s a nightmare.
When that happens, wake up, snap out of it and take action. Don’t wait for things to get worse, allowing yourself to sink deeper into the depths of despair. By doing something about it you can get yourself back to shore before you drift too far and take a breather before getting on another boat.
Lessons from the island
You don’t get stranded on a desert island and leave the same person. The island changes you. It’s up to you whether this change is good or bad, but regardless you’re not the same person that stepped upon its shores.
The island teaches you essential survival skills, whether you want to learn them or not. When you’re hungry enough, which for me is all the time, your hunger drives you to find nourishment. You learn to forage, fish and hunt. You quickly learn which foods agree with you and which to avoid. You develop skills to gather provisions more efficiently so that you waste less energy. You begin to time your expeditions so that you don’t suffer fatigue in the heat of the day or miss the fish at the change of tides. All of a sudden this survival thing becomes a little easier and you know exactly what you’re doing. What once felt really difficult now feels bearable, at times even enjoyable.
You’ve spent several seasons on the island and you’ve learned to maximise your opportunities at each change. You know when different trees fruit and when migratory birds make their appearance. You know when the wet season arrives and when it ends. Your shelter no longer gets washed away at the sign of the first monsoon rain. You’ve built on higher ground now and you’re rock solid.
These skills didn’t manifest overnight. They took many days and or possibly years to develop and because of that they are now imprinted. When you have your great awakening and the time to leave the island finally comes, you’ll have some serious chops to help you on the journey ahead. That is something no one can steal from you and deep down you realise that as much as you hated being stranded on the island, you’re also very grateful for all the island has taught you.
She’ll be right matey
If you’re feeling marooned right now and waiting for the next boat, take heart. Don’t allow yourself to dehydrate as you lay hopelessly washed up on the beach. Instead use this time to develop essential skills that set you up for success. Pretty soon you’ll be hearing your own crew enthusiastically cheer “aye aye capt’n”.