Lorraine Rey

I step aboard… One small bag of clothes, no makeup, some food and beverages to fill our ice box and a heart filled with wonder. 

Immediately, I breathe in the healing fresh air, smell  the mist on the lake and hear the calling of the wind beckoning me to play.
I’m a sailor. And my journeys aboard fill the maps of my life.

Come aboard with me.
Our sailboat Bohica, measures-36 feet long .  Though she shows her age she is magnificent lady! You know.  She lives!  Lives  inside all who come aboard.

It is with her that I experience accelerating, unbridled freedom.

  Throwing the ropes on the dock, I cast away into what I call ‘ My sacred sail in God’s bathtub.’. When I forget how extraordinary God is I just look at the power and beauty of the great lakes.  

Each journey is filled with magic.  You never know what these great waters will throw your way – anything from a glassy lake, to gentle breeze to traitorous gales.   I am passionate to go out and play.
 
Let me take you on one of
those perfect days. Bohica’s sails rise effortlessly.  Wind fills the sails making them musically sway gliding us towards a new destination. Looking upward I am often humbled by her, she is an amazing feat of engineering who’s spirit has existed for centuries.  You see while sailing. I become the collective of all sailors from Columbus, to those pirates who sought treasures, to the refugees who stowed away in search of new land.

There is nothing more peaceful than to be at the helm, with the sun kissing my cheeks and listening to the silence of the laps of water creasing her gently.

I also love those stormy rides.  Our boat commands that I develop unshakable focus and connection.  Yes connection to nature, to my mate,  to my vessel and to my self.  And when we return to shore, sometimes exhausted to the bone,
I can nestle in the sanctuary of our boat’s cabin,  knowing that ‘ I am no longer scared of storms for I am learning to passionately sail my own ship! 

My adventurous life is on board.  I invite you to go on adventures… Throw the ropes that bind you ashore! There is a new you waiting!

So nice to go toe to toe with my fears!

Yes , since I was a little girl, I have been terrify of snakes. I mean, even those pesky little  snakes.  Of course, I could add to that list 101 other fears. Admittedly,I used to be frightened of the dark when I was about six. Then,as I grew more emotionally mature, I let it go.

Honestly, I think children seem to be able to let go of most fears easier then us adults.  I mean, a reassuring parent or teacher can ease their mind.

Unfortunately, as we get older, we sometimes stop  trusting. — Trusting our bosses, spouses, ourselves or even God or the Universe.  We start to question a lot more too.  Our intellect rationalizes our story of fear as ‘reality’.   But is it?

Too often our attachments to our fears become our operating system. It is that limiting belief that keeps us trapped or keeps us in our ‘safe’ world.  How limiting have you become?  Fears keep us trapped.   We can’t do this because we’ve been hurt.  We can’t do that because it cost too much or it’ll take too much time, it’s not worth it. Our list go on and on and on!  Does this sound familiar? If so, you have a choice.

Danger is real!   As Jim Carrey said, “there is a difference between the dog that is going to eat you and that dog in your mind!”. You can learn, in a flash, to distinguish the difference. It is entirely possible to move courageously forwards.

I invite you to take a good look at your fears.

Ask yourself are your fears serving you or strangling you ?

Are they based on real danger or are they a story from past hurts,situations or conditioning?

I know that a key to a present, fulling life is to let go of fear!

Move forward from a trusting place with faith.

I invite you  try it!

Do something that you know scared you and limited you.

I did!  So, I know you can.

New Years Eve, I held a snake! Not just any snake, big, yellow boa constrictor. This beauty could coil her body around me and snap me like a twig.  She didnt!  Instead, she gave me a gift of seeing her beautiful eyes,touching her strong colorful skin and feeling her power!  I am passed my fear.

Guess, I won’t be worried any more about those little garter snakes in my backyard.

Face your fears in faith! Freedom is right there waiting to liberate you!

Many years ago, My Aboriginal (Native American to Americans) friend affectionately called Daddy Long Legs asked me “Grasshopper, what will my legacy be?” My 29 year old self replied, “I know, an old wise woman — wise beyond belief!” He laughed, “ah lace up those moccasins,young lady, you will journey to the valleys and peaks of life to gain such honor.”

A few years later, divorce plunged me into a valley of paralyzing anguish, loss and despair. Drowning in a stagnant pool of impossibility — I clawed for something, anything to hold onto; Food , Men, reams of self help were my false guides. I mean, I even consulted Mr. Jack Daniels.. How wise was that?

One anxiety filled, sleepless night ,a song came to mind
Neil Diamond sang out,
“I am I said I am said I and I am lost and I don’t even know why”

I cried. “I am. I am I AM!”

At first I Saw the failure,
then ‘ I ‘ who clinging to external securities and identity.
This journey through divorce had stripped me to my essence.

But then something magical and mystical happened.
My heart opened deeper
I saw myself Beyond Wife, beyond mother beyond Lorraine. Beyond definition!

I safely existed here– (point inside). An unfamiliar sense of peace comforted me.

I soaked in the brilliance of wise woman that already existed. My loving wise ‘I am’ existed. She always did. That ‘I am’ is my unshakeably internal compass that fills me with limitless possibility. The wisdom of all ages exists within. In that moment, not only did I know that I would survive, I embraced the knowing that I would thrive. AND I DID!

When adversity comes, and it will, turn inward ; start with your wise one within. From there life is limitless!