On the Ride

In the summer of 2007 I cruised in Atlantic Canada with my family. We were docked in Halifax, Nova Scotia when the remnants of a tropical storm came blowing in. We left Halifax in the late afternoon and sailed into high seas and strong winds. 

It was "Lobster Night" on board the ship. Unfortunately many passengers and staff headed for their cabins to ride out the storm instead making it to the dining room. My family clung on to hand rails to take our table several stories above the rocking sea. 

At first I was frightened as the ship dipped and rose with the ocean. The ups and downs got worse as we left the protection of barrier islands and made our way into open sea.

As my fear mounted, I realized what a ridiculous situation we were in. We were having an elegant dinner on a beautiful, multimillion dollar ship. If the captain thought we were going to capsize, he would have kept the ship in port. Obviously his navigation devices and experience on the sea told him it was safe to proceed.

And really, it was the best thrill ride I could have had without getting on a roller coaster. Plus it was Lobster Night! 

So I decided to put my fear on pause and enjoy this surreal experience with my family. We ate dinner, I enjoyed my new-found perspective, and we had a pleasant evening on board ship.

The seas calmed, and we awoke the next morning at Bar Harbor, Maine to the most beautiful day there in months. 

I tell you this story, dear Creative Entrepreneur, because I sense that we are on a ship in a tropical storm right now. In America we will soon learn who will serve as our next President; the economy is beginning to stabilize, but still looking shaky with warnings ahead; and uncertainty rides high.

I invite you to consider this turbulent time a thrill ride. The ups and downs are extreme, but there just  may be an Intelligence in the background making sure that we all get to the next port in good shape. That's the story I'm telling myself so that I enjoy the ride, too!