He is my home she said
And her face softened into a peaceful smile

Known beyond compare
She felt that statement to her core

A warm glow floating up from her heart

He is my home she said
And she tenderly touched his arm
Encompassing their souls

No pressure
No expectation
But a give and take of love
silently spoken between them

Gentle spirits merging in wind passions
and heart pursuits

He is my home she said
and she unpacked her heart for good

It is amazing how fast you can learn when you are doing, when the stakes are real and you have solid mentoring, when you are hearing the language over and over and committing the actions to muscle memory. To be full, rich and alive in experience is what good education is all about be it in the classroom or on the Adventuress.

I don't learn because it's a theory, I learn because that is what needs to happen. And then when I do learn theory, it makes sense, and I can apply it to my schema and experience for even deeper learning.

I am sailing on a tall ship surrounded by experts and learners, asking questions when I'm ready or curious and listening when I am not. Everything is authentic and happening around me. Surround sound information, tag team circles of teaching and learning. And then me turning and teaching another learner what I just mastered.

We are crew. All hands on deck. We sink or sail together, and in the safety of expertise and experience, I know we won't sink. A safe place to learn.

I gain energy from the passion of others around me for the ship, the manuevers, the history,  the nature, the biology, and for the experience of sailing this 103 year old wooden schooner through the San Juan Islands. Just by being here I want to learn more, invest in the ship, the crew, and myself. I am a part of something big.

This is what learning is all about. Hands on and authentic, real stakes and real mentoring. mistakes and successes held in a safe space. Everyone grows and the ship flourishes.

I lay down at night exhausted, satisfied, empowered  and a little bit more of a mariner.

I want to do things that make me cry.

Things that rip my soul open and fill it with uncomprehendible beauty and passion and experience. Things that peel open my spirit in awe inspiring moments that cannot be contained.

Those moments so mesmerizing and beautiful that all mundane concerns, imperfections, and expectations are liberated, unknown, and non existent.

Those moments that make me small and giant.

Vulnerable and unbeatable.

Standing on the deck of the Adventuress
wind uncontained across my face and in the sails.

Spirit uncontained by possibility and impossibility.

Water, islands, movement, sun, evergreen trees, snow peaked mountains, shadowed hills, sun spots sparkling on the water

And a team of passionate experts and loving, joy filled people

All giving way to the magic,  together
Making it happen, together

Crew
Me and you
And something far greater than all of us

I am standing on the deck of the Adventuress Schooner, sails full of wind, and the tears hit my cheeks