Today I wanted to write about President Obama, about eating Raw Foods, about the first time I went aground in my boat, about the first time I went aground in a boat I was hired to sail, about the relationship between the gulls and a West Marine clerk, about how I chose the title of my blog, about my cat (I’ll always want to write about my cat), about my Daddy and I screaming at the wind on Lake Michigan, about National Downshifting Week, about a UFO and a 911 call, about The Windryder, about….about so much.
These stories are dancing in my head, waiting to be told. Huddled together reminding me to focus on the journey, on the so-called simple living. Reminding me about my goal of not getting caught in living for the paycheck. Reminding me to take time to write. Reminding me that I will be most happy when my most authentic and alive self is brought into direct and conscious contact with living. And what is that comprised of…writing, sailing, breathing clean air, dancing, playing, sleeping under the stars, creating, discovering…
Four years ago I was sitting in a circle (on a boat, under the stars of course) with 11 other people. We went around the circle each answering the question, “If you could do anything, what would it be.” My answer was, “I would sail about the world and learn to speak many languages.”
Nine years ago I was given this song (by Tom Petty). I was told it was written for me. Sure, you can tell me that its not possible because Tom Petty likely has never heard of me, but I disagree. It was written for me. It speaks directly to me, about me, for me. That has never changed, since the day I discovered it. Its my theme song and I will always keep it as that.
Wildflowers by Tom Petty
You belong among the wildflowers
You belong in a boat out at sea
Sail away, kill off the hours
You belong somewhere you feel free
Run away, find you a lover
Go away somewhere bright and new
I have seen no other
Who compares with you
You belong among the wildflowers
You belong in a boat out at sea
You belong with your love on your arm
You belong somewhere you feel free
Run away, go find a lover
Run away, let your heart be your guide
You deserve the deepest of cover
You belong in that home by and by
You belong among the wildflowers
You belong somewhere close to me
Far away from your trouble and worry
You belong somewhere you feel free
You belong somewhere you feel free
Comments 6
I can’t wait to hear all those stories that are dancing in your head! I feel so connected with your blog in many ways, Yours words are inspiring, grand, beautiful, and simple, all at the same time. 🙂
Hey how about a post letting us know how’re you getting on without a car. I read a great article in the ny times about how the single most important thing we can do for global warming and the other simple living life is to get rid of that burdeous beast. So can you givce some good times since youre living that dream? thank you!
Nice post. I can see why the lyrics of that song speak to you. I’m pleased that you shared them, as I don’t hear lyrics, which is kind of ironic given that I was a professional musician for the first ten years of my adult life.
I love that song. It always brings a tear to my eye. I think we all belong somewhere we feel free, but only some of us listen to that call.
Stuart, it doesn’t seem ironic to me that you don’t hear lyrics. Musicians hear music. Writers hear lyrics. We all see what we want to see and hear what we want to hear (or what we have been trained to perceive)
Nice post. I’m looking forward to the stories.
Your seriously fucked up in the head to think being a teacher is living pay check to pay check. Being a teacher is a gift that should be cherished. I have been a teacher for 20 years. And each day I thank god to be able to shape young minds and be part of there life. If you don’t want to be doing it quit at a time when so many people are out of work and so many people would love to be in a position to give why complain about living pay check doing a job you hate? And why do you feel the need to live your whole life out on a website??? Needing and wanting the attention of others in your group —your not living the dream your in hell your ideas are are meaningless and your cause is not just–grow up and and join the real world rather than hiding in the shadows of the internet in a little world with little people.
Great site, I just stumbled upon it after getting a referral from a friend. Nice to know we arnt alone in our crazy lifes. Take care. Ali