Extras
For those of you new to this blog, I’m working on writing a book. You can catch up by reading this So Far, then Provisions/Needs, followed by Recreation/Fun, Sleeping Quarters/Recovery,Figurehead/Face , the Crows Nest/Forethought and the Flag/Influence and then the Island/Curiosity.
So here we are, my friendly blog reader! The last post about the You’re the Boat analogy! Whew!! It’s taken 4 months, but I’ve managed to write about all of the ‘original’ parts of the Boat.
I say ‘original’ because since I started writing about this and sharing it with other people, I’ve discovered there’s more to it, like the Anchor, the Plank and the Life-preserver.
As my husband was driving us all to dinner the night of my birthday, we heard a commercial on the radio
advertising the up-coming Boat show. Although I usually ignore commercials, this one caught my attention when they said something about an Anchor. This got me to thinking “My Boat doesn’t have an Anchor! What does that mean? What does an Anchor do?” And so my mind, excited and curious, took off in search for the symbolic meaning behind the Anchor. A couple of days later, I came up with this…..“Your Anchor gives you the ability to feel grounded and secure in order to go places and meet people. It’s the intentional commitment to meet other people in order to exchange ideas and stuff.” For instance, writing this blog is an Anchor for me. Each week, when I write a blog post, I’m making an intentional commitment in order to exchange my ‘cargo’ of thoughts, ideas and products with you, my friendly blog reader. Another Anchor for me would be the DDA and our events. The monthly meetings and up-coming CreekFest and BB&E farmers market all have real times and places for me and others to meet.
Our Anchors are what help bring the world together.
If you’re in SouthEast Michigan, CreekFest is from 10am -4pm on June 4th, and every Friday, starting June 17 until September 2 from 6-9pm in Crossman park is the BB&E farmers market. Come on over, drop Anchor and say Hi! I’d be absolutely THRILLED to meet you!!
The Plank came up as I was sharing the Boat at the New Leaf Flower Studio in Clarkston this past March. As I was talking about the Crew, a lady suggested that my Boat needs a Plank. Although I agreed with her, it’s been very hard for me to wrap my head around this one. However, now I can see how much happier and more stable my life is when I became strong enough to let go. Even though it was really, really difficult at the time, (I never like to have people angry or hurt because of me) letting go of certain people has made me and my Crew much happier. Getting rid of extra stuff, like smoking cigarettes (yeah, that was hard too) has also helped by making more room in my life for what is really important. It also showed the people I love that they deserve a happier, healthier me.
So here’s what I think the plank is…. “The plank gives you permission to let go of the people and stuff that are creating a mutiny on your Boat. In order to restore stability and harmony, ask yourself ’who or what needs to ‘walk the plank’?” Although this may be difficult at first, it’s your responsibility to protect yourself and your crew!! In time, you’ll realize how much happier everyone will be when your Boat is stable and your Crew is happy. Like Elizabeth Gilbert discovered in the movie Eat, Pray, Love “Sometimes the best we can do is send them love and light and then let them go.”
This last week, I shared the Boat in Ortonville at the Old Town hall. I had 8 friends of mine show up and they all listened and then they offered their perspective on it. One of my friends suggested the Boat needs a life preserver.
Of Course! 
I already had one, I just hadn’t added it to the Boat yet. (Thanks Dara! xoxo)
Remember this diagram from Steve Errey, the Confidence Guy On-line….
When I originally wrote this out on a post-it note to share with a friend of mine, I put waves where the red line is and a Life-preserver next to the word Vision. The details, problems and drama of life will drag you down and drowned you. The Vision of what you want your life to be is your Life-preserver!!! Get curious about the solutions to your problems, keep a higher perspective and the Vision of your best life will save you.
“By doing your best, you will make things better”
So what do you think, my friendly blog reader? Can you think of any other parts of the Boat I’ve missed?
I’d love to hear your suggestions below in the comments.
In the mean time, starting next week I’ll get back to writing the Inspirational word of the week.
xoxo Pam
p.s. As soon as the book is done, you’ll be the first to know, my friendly blog reader!!
