Good Sailing and Progress Made

Henry's death date, a day of special acknowledgement

Good morning, everyone. <3

I hope you’re all doing well. I haven’t posted for 2 weeks and it feels like much longer somehow. A lot has happened - so much to share with you all, so much to ask you and talk about. I got home from Japan on Sunday night, transitioning quickly back to NYC, catching up on everything, holding the light of Japan with me as I move forward into the chaos and excitement of everything. I will share lots of photos and stories from the trip, though today I want to talk briefly about something else. :)

Today, May 6 is a special day, as it is the death date of Henry David Thoreau, my dear friend from the spirit world who I admire and adore - as a writer, naturalist, poet, an activist, a friend and good neighbor, a lover of nature, a possible grouch - as all the things he was and more. Of all my books, old and new, I probably have the most of Henry’s books, and I cherish each one as though he gave me a fresh copy himself. Each year on this day, I wake up wishing I was in Concord, visiting him at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, walking his streets, imagining his footsteps touching the same sidewalk as me. I’m in NYC though, and I can think of him and Concord from afar, separated by geography and lifetimes, though somehow connected through unconventional friendship.

Last year today, I wrote this post for Henry, ‘Now Comes Good Sailing.’ Here is a quote from the post:

“Henry’s last words before he moved into death were, ‘Now comes good sailing,’ and then two individual words, ‘moose’ and ‘Indian.’ Oh, Henry, you are the best. Now comes good sailing. Embracing every moment and transition either without fear or with fear as a tail wind. Tranquility, peace, and freedom, the ultimate freedom.”

Every time I think of that phrase, I feel a deep pang of extra admiration in my heart. ‘Now Comes Good Sailing.’ I imagine the moment he said those words, what he saw or didn’t see as he drifted off into another realm.

Just as I would love to saunter the woods of Walden by his side, I would love to sail with Henry, too. Whenever I imagine spending time with him, I eventually imagine us arguing, and I’m sure he would have problems with the way I managed a boat, the decisions I would make in high stakes wind and weather. I would announce an order, and he would disagree. Then I would laugh and follow through with my plan, and he would have to oblige, as I would be the skipper (or maybe a competent offshore captain by then), and he would be a loyal member of my crew, forced to listen faithfully and follow through with resolute. It would be rough going, but at long last when the skies cleared, and we sailed into our home marina with ease, without a scratch or a splash on board, he would smile and nod his head, silently admitting veneration and humility, never questioning my sea-based authority again. <3

Who knows what I might share and experience with Henry, if we would like spending any time together, if we would have anything in common at all. It’s nice to think about though, and in the wildness of imagination we can have any friendships and connections we like.

Here is the post I wrote on his birthday last year, which includes some quotes of his, nice ideas to think about today on this special anniversary.

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I want to share one more thought about May 6, as this year it’s adopted another meaning for me. Today marks the 1 year anniversary of the day the realtor showed me the space which is now my workspace. :) I signed my lease on June 28, the day after my birthday last year, and I got my keys on the morning of July 1. It all started though on May 6, the day I walked through the door for the first time and didn’t very much want to leave. When I think of all I’ve accomplished in this space for far, of how I wished and dreamed of it for so many years, I’m reminded of the progress I’ve made, and I feel honored and thankful for the way things are shaping up now.

The other day I read a quote that said something like, ‘if you don’t think you’ve made progress, ask yourself, would you trade places with yourself from 1 year ago? If the answer is no, then congratulations, progress has been made.’ You can think of the same quote with any length of time - 1 year, 1 month, 6 months, 5 years, 10 years. There is so much to admire and be proud of in ourselves, and it’s important to always take the time to remember that.

So happy May 6, everyone. It’s a day to honor our ancestors and those who have passed on in previous lifetimes and generations, it’s a day to recognize and thank our teachers and mentors, and it’s a day to be proud of ourselves and the progress we’ve made. Thank you everyone for your support and kindness on the journey of mine.

Please share in the comments what you’re thinking about today, what you’ve been up to, what you’re working on or doing this week. Share about anything you’re feeling good about and proud of, share anything at all. I would be so happy to read about it. :)