01:53.721N 085:13.526W The Gift of Boredom
Irene IV - World Adventure
Louis Goor
Sat 26 Feb 2022 01:15
On watch last night I felt, for maybe the first time ever, not the
separation between me and nature, but the bond. Being alone on deck, under
cover of a sparkling sky, punctuated with swollen black columns of clouds,
cushioned by the soft undulations of the sea, I felt connected and together
with the greater planet. No music or audible book was needed, no deep or
meaningful thoughts or revelations, just a simple mortal presence in this
privileged moment of beauty. If I have learned one profound lesson thus far
on our trip around the world, it is that security, happiness, health and
ease, lie in wait for all to enjoy in the simplest of tiny objects, moments,
and feelings.
Years ago, when my wonderful co-directors at Sunrise Montessori of Napa
Valley, (Janice and Bonnie) and I met with young parents entrusting their
precious little toddlers into our care, I always advised them to give their
children the gift of boredom. I recommended - allow your children to figure
out how to amuse themselves, to enjoy their own company and to have time to
just exist without direction or deeper meaning. I am now lucky enough to
experience that sentiment for myself on Irene IV, each night, when I am
alone on deck.
Dr. Sylvia Earle, a lifelong ocean conservationist, expressed the following
wish for all humankind, "I wish you would use all means at your disposal -
films, expeditions the web and more - to ignite public support for a global
network of marine protected areas, hope spots large enough to save and
restore the ocean, the blue heart of the planet."
We are 330 miles away from the Galapagos Islands. These islands are
certainly one of the "hope spots" that Dr. Earle was referring to. The
paperwork, regulations and expense required to gain entry into the protected
archipelago is extensive. We have created a list of 20 items to be completed
before we arrive, including removing or consuming all seeds, raw red meat
and blueberries, oranges and passion fruit from the boat! The list is
stringent, but the consequences to the delicate ecosystem in the Galapagos
might be catastrophic. Sprouting sunflowers might invade the habitat of
native flora, causing the food chain to be disrupted, with possible damaging
results. This mindset is one we all should adopt as we negotiate our way
through our everyday lives.
Let us ask ourselves regularly, what are the effects and costs to other
peoples, animals, or vegetation, and hence ourselves, of any particular
action?
Visit Oceanic Society website
(https://www.oceanicsociety.org/projects/blue-habits-2) for little ways that
you can help preserve the precious oceans that are part of you, me, our
ancestors and our descendants.