On Sunday 18^th April 2021 my youngest stepson and his family set sail from the fairest Cape at the southernmost tip of Africa. Destination? Grenada in the Caribbean. After the devastation wreaked by Covid-19 on their business, they did some deep soul-searching and made the decision to follow their long-held dream. Sell up everything, buy a boat and sail to the Caribbean and a new life. An adventure of the highest order. One that leaves many of my friends horrified. Comments have ranged from “reckless”, “they are mad”  to “how exciting and amazing” and “I wish I was that brave”. Many are envious. Just as many think they are totally, totally mad and completely irresponsible.

It’s been an emotional and challenging journey. As change often is. Letting go of almost everything they owned. Saying goodbye to all that was known and familiar, to the life they had created here in White River. Where they had married, set up home and welcomed two children into their lives. Bidding farewell to friends and family not knowing when they would see them again. Managing the myriad emotions of their two young children who were having to give up everything they have ever known.

I looked at the photo of Brad, standing at the helm of their (in my eyes, VERY small boat!), staring out at the horizon as the sun heralded the start of the day and their new adventure. I wondered what he was thinking. I do know he was following his heart.

I wondered if I would ever have the courage to step outside my comfort zone so completely. I can’t begin to imagine what it must feel like to leave the land behind, heading out into the wide blue yonder. As a Pisces baby I love being near water, but actually on it, especially when there is no sign of terra firma, hell no! I need two feet firmly planted on the earth.

But as I sat there, pondering this, I realised that in fact I am on my own adventure. Slowly leaving behind the land I’ve known, all that was familiar, as a chapter that had spanned 38 years came to a close with the death of my husband. Mine has been a slow journey over many months. To be honest I am still not 100% sure of the destination. Perhaps there isn’t one. Perhaps it’s a continual meandering across the ocean of life, stopping in here and there when the whim takes me. New experiences, new uncharted territory. Dipping my toes in unfamiliar waters, taking the plunge. Being brave in my own way.

The truth is we all have our ocean journeys. They may not be as bold or as adventurous as Brad and Sanna’s. But they are adventures none the less. In my home, above the front door, is the following quote: “You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore”. It was there when I moved in. I see it every day when I stand in my kitchen. It reminds me to be brave. To welcome adventure and new experiences. Sometimes the twists and turns of life force us to cross those oceans. At other times it is our own inner nudging, the quiet voice of the Soul that whispers “it’s time”. Sometimes it’s both.

If you are feeling the stirring of adventure, the push to cross that ocean, lose sight of the shore, have that deeper knowing that change is coming, don’t ignore it. If you need support, or a safe space to explore those inner nudgings, reach out and let’s chat – reconnectme@spiralpath.co.za

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain

If you want to follow the adventures of Brad, Sanna, Luuka and Maya as they traverse the oceans and head for a new life, you can follow them on social media, at their Facebook and Instagram pages, Totallyreimagined. I’m excited to see how this new chapter unfolds for them.