I have imagined sailing the ocean, I have sung sea shanties in the Costa Rican cloud forest, and I have seen it represented in films and tv shows. But what is it actually like? Up until one year ago, I had never been on a sailing boat. I still get terribly car sick if I am not mindful, and I have honestly been a little afraid of the idea of sailing. My sisters now live across the Atlantic, and up until now I have relied on air travel to be able to see them. The ocean has felt like a massive gulf between me and them. But what if that wasn’t the case? What if I could learn to sail it and by doing so always have a way back to them? If that is the case, the ocean is no longer a barrier, but a pathway. It was time to face a fear of mine. Time to close the gap between me and my sisters.
In this Episode of Go Girl I am telling the story of how I came to sailing, my first impressions of it, and how the future is shaping up to live into it.
The Card of the Week is the 7 of Swords. Traditionally this card explores the topic of deceit whether that is lying, cheating or stealing. My Rebel Sister reading is that when you are living and moving in oppressive systems sometimes these are necessary actions. Think Robin Hood: yes, stealing is not great, but better a rebel than a tyrant. In the reverse I think of this card as a challenge to be more honest or open about things that folks would rather have not said outloud.
For me, applying this to my situation two weeks from adventure departure, I am leaning into the challenge of being honest about the whole experience of being an adventure seeker. Because they are expanding by nature, adventures are not always comfortable. Just because I am choosing to do this or move in this direction doesn’t mean I am wanting every experience. And just becuase I want to be challenged doesn’t mean I love what it feels like.
So, on that note–happy adventuring, Folks. Two weeks until I leave!
www.alexandrarossworks.com/gogirl
Music and Sound from Episode
Music: Last Nomad by VOLO
from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/volo/last-nomad
License code: TI2GHBIKKL4GY7QB
Water Music by Handel Suite No2 in D
Music: https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
Soundeffects from Freesound
Walking to Palas de Rei by frederic.font — https://freesound.org/s/130796/ — License: Attribution 4.0
Walking alongside the road by mrkva — https://freesound.org/s/220419/ — License: Attribution 4.0
Foggy Banks learned from the 1998 recording of Lothlorian and a night visitors song as learned by the Tannahill Weavers.
Alexandra Ross Works 