The signs of change

Thinking back over 2009, there were a series of things that happened that lead up to my decision to change my life in 2010.

First, in August I was invited to attend Premier Cruise Lines (The Big Red Boat) 25th Anniversary. This is the cruise line that first brought the industry to Cocoa Beach. It has been out of business for several years, but a reunion was planned for so many employees that had worked together. My friend Scotty had worked on the Ships for 5 years. I had taken 5 cruises with them starting with talking my way on board alone after a bad breakup, and ending with organizing 12 single girlfriends, in our 20-something years, to go. The reunion was fabulous and I was honored to be there. For 2 days I heard story after story of their adventures at sea. It left my heart restless.

Next, after several friends suggestion, I read the book "Eat, Pray, Love" it left my heart more restless.

Then, amidst my decision, I went to a series of meetings at my favorite church; Beachside, for business people to encourage them during tough times. During one session, the speaker was talking but my mind kept wandering off and I continued to question myself with, "What should I do, what should I do? Should I sail or should I keep trying here." Then suddenly I paid attention to what was in front of me, and to the left, and to the right...Huge banners declaring the name of the series: NAVIGATE. I laughed out loud.

I think this is when I truly locked in my decision to go.

After this I reread the book TIME OUT, by Bonnie Miller Rubin, a book about how to take a sabbatical. Then I reread the book HALFTIME, by Bob Burford, a book about changing your profession to take on more meaning and fulfillment. Then, a women in my running group heard my news and handed me the book THE EMBARRASSMENT OF MANGOES, by Ann Vanderhoof, a book about a Canadian couple who dreamed of sailing the Caribbean and made it happen. And finally, I paged back through a favorite book: A MAIDEN VOYAGE, by Tania Aebi, a book about her circumnavigating the world at 18, alone with her cat and in a 26' Sailboat.

All this input was working on my heart to justify and to satisfy. God does work in mysterious ways.