I have been trying to figure out what it is that entices me to Maine so much. Is it just from my ancestral roots? Is it because of all the incredible sailing, water communities nestled along the ocean’s edge? Or is there something else that draws me into its jagged, rocky coastline? I was thinking about it the other day and I believe I figured it out. It’s the lighthouses.

The lighthouses are what attracted me to the East Coast in the beginning. See before getting our boat, I had been to the East Coast a couple of times but I had never really truly understood what called me to it. 

The first Maine lighthouse that I saw was off Big Green Island. It was the summer of 2020; the beginning of COVID. It was our first trip to Maine and it was absolutely stunning. We came through the cut of Little Green Island and Big Green Island under sail, going 7 knots through the misty morning dew, dodging lobster pots port and starboard. I was exhausted from being on watch for hours, yet, I wasn’t afraid because there was that lighthouse shining bright. Just saying watch out, here’s the hard stuff! Don’t get stuck on this! 

But more shocking, than the light showing me the way was the thought that someone had put that up for me, and everyone who came after them. They had found the land, they knew where it was. They didn’t need to construct a building with lights to warn others and show them the way; yet they still did. They took the time to help others navigate the treacherous coastline, so that others wouldn’t have to struggle as hard as they did. They took the time to make sure that others would be okay after they, themselves, had made it safely ashore. They helped themselves and then they built systems to help all others who came after them. 

And that, I believe, is what this world is supposed to be about, helping yourself and helping others; in whatever way you can. There are no small helpers in this world; only helpers who haven’t done their helping action yet. Some people will move mountains, there is no doubt about that, but others will put sand into the concrete mixer, and that mixture will go on to create cement that will be built into amazing towers or solid strong foundations that will help all those who come after them. 

In this way, there are no small helpers in this world, you are either doing something that helps or you are doing something that hurts. The question is which are you doing? Are you helping to build this world into a kind caring place for all? Or are you only looking after your own interests? Are you a helper or are you a detractor?

Are you building lighthouses for others to find the shoreline, or are you leaving them out in the dark? Are you building lighthouses for others or are you purposely creating fake signals to maroon others on false entrances?

We get to make the choices of who we are each day, and although there are definitely gradations of detractors that may be worse or less worse than others; why would you ever choose to be a detractor over a helper?

I reached the shoreline… Despite the arduous storms and the multiple crashing, drowning waves of life. The Sunshine Ocean Sailor has partnered with Latitudes of Gratitude to find the peace and happiness of life in the simple, quiet aspects of this chaotic world. A world that is always trying to tell us that we are lacking and not ever enough. 

We don’t always get to control the storms that form themselves in this world; but we can always adjust our sails, manage our own ships, try to steer in the direction that does the least harm, and support those who also choose to live as helpers vs. not.

Join me in seeing the beauty that is still left in this world, despite these trying times, for not all is lost. Although some days it feels as if it is… 

You’re still here, which means that there’s still good here! Hold fast to your tiller.