Life is Sailing

So I began this website because I needed a writing challenge. I have thought about writing for a few years, having homeschooled my children and walked them through many writing assignments. I was a dedicated journaler as a child and young adult and am a firm believer in the power of the written word, both for the author and the reader.

I reached a point where I grew tired of writing simply for myself. It’s too easy to become naval (belly button) focused when journaling, at least for me it is. I love conversations and sharing ideas with people, so even though this reader base is not very large (honestly, I’m not a huge promoter of myself – haha), this website is still a chance to express thoughts and ideas to a people beyond myself. A chance to practice writing and see what happens.

So I gave myself a 365 day challenge… I will pick up the keyboard and type out some thoughts for at least ten minutes a day on whatever topic springs to mind. It has sparked my brain into thinking about life a little differently.

It is a little scary, putting my thoughts out there on the internet. I have heard of blog trolls. What if my writing stinks? What if I am disappointed with myself? But, you know what, if it’s as simple as writing for just ten minutes a day, I really can’t have too high of expectations, can I? Practice makes better, they say.

So I leave you with this thought about embracing the scary, the unknown… This is something I wrote in January of 2024 regarding sailing, but I think it applies very well to anything new.

“It’s easy to be afraid, at least for some of us. So many what if’s… what if this or that happens? We want to be in control, to know the next step, to have assurances that things will go well. But what if… we just go for it? Live it. Experience things over and over again and something fantastic happens?! What if we fall in love with something that intimidated us before but suddenly draws us in, beckoning us to return?

This is the sea, this is sailing for me. Sailing… I cry to think of saying good-bye. I’m not ready, not yet. I’m just getting to know you. Help me embrace the future You have for me, Lord. I love sailing so much.”

It was scary to fall for something so heavily as I fell for sailing. It is scary for me to pour my thoughts and experiences into a website. I had to leave the beautiful turquoise waters where I learned to sail, the comfort of the community there. I am learning to sail in different waters, and, you know what, I am growing. It is painful at times and there is still a sense of loss, but God has a plan. And I trust He has a plan as I give my fingers to this investment of ten minutes (although really it is more like thirty minutes at least) to practicing putting my thoughts into writing.

So to all of you who join me in this writing challenge, whether reading here or writing yourself, thank you. There is a purpose in all the new things we do, no matter what phase of life we are in. Let’s face the scary and see where it leads…