Annie in the dinghy in Carriacou
Twenty-three years ago I quit my job as a social worker at the Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York. I flew to St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the advice of a Vincentian friend who said it would be the perfect Caribbean destination for me. How right she was and how little did I know that saying YES and listening to my heart would change my life forever.
After a lifetime as an urban dweller and city slicker, I went on to shed my down coat and high heels to become a barefoot beach dweller, an island woman, a Caribbean Queen. I’ve put down roots in the turquoise waters and greens hills of my Caribbean home and filled my sails with tropical breezes.
When, a month ago. I received an out of the blue (?) invitation to an adventure and blind date – a month long sail, island hopping from Grenada to St. Thomas with a mystery captain, I felt a similar flurry of butterflies. Once again, saying YES and listening to my heart is proving to be a life changing experience.
The details of paradise are unique to each and every one of us. Deserted islands may capture the hearts of many but I know there are countless scenarios that describe the joyful geographies that mirror your hearts.
I’m distilling the ingredients of transformation so I can share the recipe with you. I’m paying particular attention to honoring who you are in your heart of hearts; to the resounding boom of YES; the grace of gratitude and The Power of NOW. Plus, of course, a dash of this, a soupcon of that, the essence of what matters most…
So, whether you keep your recipes in an index card file box, a loose leaf notebook, a dog-eared, grease stained Joy of Cooking …. the proof is in the pudding. Make a mess, taste test, see where your appetite leads you ….
And by the way, how’s your life tasting these days? Delicious or bearing last’s years expiration date? Are you a left-over person? Do you bake from scratch? Milking the metaphor, I’d love to hear what you’re saying YES to these days, what you’re grateful for and what kind of terms you’re on with your NOW… ? And of course, what flavors are floating your boat these days?
Here in Martinique it’s fair weather and smooth sailing and croissants.
Leave a Reply