I heard a comment from Franciscan priest Richard Rohr recently, stating that if more people could master the concept of dwelling in the present, there would be no need for the clergy. I think this may well be true, and I think it goes further than that; I believe we’d find ourselves capable of shedding all sorts of support systems if we were better at engaging moments as they come to us, and letting them go once they’re over. So many of us appear bent on reliving past moments or forecasting future ones at the expense of the present. I know I am.
I’m fourteen hours from capping off my second cruise vacation in two years. Cruises are very much about escaping. And eating. They’re much about activity. And eating. Cruises are a thousand tons of entertainment aboard a thousand ton vessel. And they’re about eating.
As a longtime struggler with anxiety, I find a cruise brings much to be anxious over. The incessant flurry of options and activity are overwhelming for me, and on each of the two occasions I’ve sailed, it took considerable time to find a rhythm that worked for me. Last year, I used medication as a tool in order to shortcut this process. This year, I relied on more natural methods. I had to restrain myself from participating in too many activities. I had to overcome my Fear Of Missing Out and be content with doing Little.
Often times, while my friends were out cruising the Caribbean islands on scooters, trying new foods, zip-lining, snorkeling, sun bathing, and buying lots and lots of cool shit, I was compelled to seek seclusion aboard the ship, where I would spend extended periods of time meditating and writing.
Oh, how that belligerent little Fear imp loves to chirp in the ear whenever I choose Little over Much!
“You’re a fool!” the Fear imp chides. “Outside this vessel is a world you’ll never see again, and look at you! You’re too weak to indulge, so you sit in this pitifully arrayed library and peck away on that damn keyboard. You’re MISSING OUT, you dumbass!”
The belligerent imp is right, of course. I have missed out. Even so, I’ve gained. For someone like me, to find his center amidst such a malaise of hyperactivity is no small feat.
Despite my choice of Little over Much, I still managed to usher in a memory or two. Likely I gained a couple pounds to go with those memories. Best of all, I genuinely connected with amazing people I’m privileged to call friends and managed to make a few new ones.
Categories: Life, life events
Legionwriter 
We’ve been on quite a few cruises over the years. We’ve found them to be a great family vacation. But with frequency comes the freedom to just sit on the deck and do nothing but read and chat with my husband. You’re right–it’s quite an accomplishment to forego all the chaos and excitement and just be content to sit quietly and be. But once we get a taste of that silence amidst all the pandemonium, it’s every bit as wonderful as leaving the ship for an (overpriced!) excursion or watching the belly-flop contest by the noisy pool. 🙂
Alas, I missed the famed belly flop competition. A good friend of mine managed to place second too!
That said, I finished writing two chapters of the book that never ends, so over all, it was a win. 🙂
Good for you Luke! I’m glad you did what was best for you! I am always content to sit on a lounge chair, read, write and just be!
everything you wrote is every reason why camping is the best vacation. Whether it be, backpack camping, car camping, or rv camping. People should go on vacation to unwind. My family, wife, kids, sister, her husband and their kids, my mom and step dad all drove to lake Wenatchee, on the more secluded south camp ground, and shared 2 camp sites. Even tho there were 13 of us there together, we found many empty pockets of time and space to just chill, walk, swim, float, explore, hamock, tent, chipmunks, camp fire. There was no itinerary, no agenda, and no hurry to do anything.
We recently inherited a lot of money, now I know not to waste it on a cruise.
Well said, my friend. We took our boys to Ocean Shores for a few days last year, and it was the best time I had all year BECAUSE it was simple and we didn’t do much.
wonderful! thanks for sharing, and also yourself, so honestly, being vulnerable, accepting who you are, facing reality and still being the silver lining.
Thanks for stopping by, my friend.