Most of the people I deal with every day are pretty happy going about what they are doing. These are our customers and great employees, but too often I come across people that act like the glass is always half empty and the end of the world is on the horizon. I wonder why.
Life is full of challenges, I get it. A financial set back, health issue, unemployment or even death, in some cases. Those are tough things to deal with without having them affect your demeanor. But, I’m not talking about people with heavy emotional loads; I’m talking about people who always cast a shadow of doom and gloom. That brings to mind a story I once heard.
Two young boys were put into separate rooms where doctors could observe what made them happy. Young Billy, we’ll call him, was put into a room full of toys, games and candy while hypothetical boy two, Jimmy’s, separate room had nothing but manure on the floor. It didn’t take Billy long to play with all of the games and toys and eat all of the candy. He began to cry and sob for more. Jimmy, on the other hand, was fully content playing with the poop, making it into balls and tossing it around the room.
The observing doctors were dumbfounded. They finally asked Billy why he was so happy. He said with that much horse poop in the room, there had to be a pony nearby!
In case you’re wondering, I am not suggesting “Jimmy Rooms” for everyone, but I am offering another option and it has to do with what I do day in and day out. When people find out that I’m in the yacht charter and yacht school business, they often respond with comments such as – “How Cool” or “Awesome!”
I agree, even those times when I am at my desk working away on my computer. But I am able to get on the water on a boat just about every week. Even a short jaunt out of the marina in the sunshine and fresh air is great medicine for me.
Though there’s no “M.D.” after my name, I sometimes put on my white lab coat and offer some prescriptions for those who read this column. If you are down in the dumps just because you are, go down to the water’s edge and soak up some sunshine. If you need a stronger dose, get on a boat and cruise away from those storm clouds hanging over your head. Don’t put it off, do it now!
Take advantage of a weekend and the opportunity to find the fair winds and calm seas of your mind, ridding yourself of those worries and woes. Get out on the water. I know you can.
Over the years, we have received countless calls from people who want to spend time on the water with family and friends for special occasions such as anniversaries, birthdays or other milestones. There’s something celebratory about boating and it knows no season. Anytime is a good time to celebrate at sea.
Marinas, I have observed, are like Billy and Jimmy’s play rooms. Some people need a megayacht to make them happy while other boaters are fully content with a runabout or even a canoe. Remember, happiness doesn’t come from the vessel; it’s the experience with it that brings pleasure and satisfaction. Call it a Nautical Attitude Adjustment for the better.
My husband Vic says it best, “If your head is on right, a tin cup can be a silver chalice. It’s all about how you look at life.”
Boating keeps our heads on right. Come on aboard!
Barb Hansen manages Southwest Florida Yachts, yacht charters and Florida Sailing & Cruising School, a liveaboard yacht school. Contact her at[email protected], or via phone at (239) 257-2788.
