Seafarers are people who work aboard seagoing vessels. I worked aboard cruise ships for many years as a musician. What was it like?
I would leave home, flying to a city such as Miami or Seattle to meet the ship. I would board, and remain on board for 7-10 months. During that time, we would leave our home port - the port we pick up and return passengers to every 7-21 days - and set sail for a voyage. I must have sailed thousands of voyages all over the world. Here's the thing with voyages: all voyages have a start, a middle, and an end.
We set sail for exotic countries with our guests who are looking forward to being entertained and amazed. Along the way we'll have setbacks - storms, bad tours, troubles with port authorities, poor entertainers, and the like. And, along the way, we'l have moments of delight - a great show, amazing tours, perfect weather, great food, and the like. Each and every voyage has a story! (probably why seafarers are known for being good storytellers.)
Why am I saying all of this to you? What's in it for you?
Because life is like a collection of voyages. There are voyages that we'll talk about for years to come, and some we hope to soon forget. Each voyage invites us to be fascinated by what might be in store for us. And like all good stories, each voyage must inevitably end.
At the end of my time on board, I would be sent home. In the industry, we call it "going on vacation." I would be on vacation for 2-3 months... and during that time I would reminisce about the fun and fascination I had, and got antsy to experience what might come.
As you think about 2021 and what 2022 might be, how might you look forward and stay fascinated by the voyage setbacks? And how might we better savor the fun and fantastical times you had?
