Publish Date: Sunday, January 11, 2009
Location: Georgetown, Great Exuma Island, Exumas, Bahamas
Coordinates: 23° 30.767′ N 75° 44.725′ W
We are now in Georgetown, Exumas which is the gathering spot for many winter cruisers. There are probably 75 to 100 boats anchored here in the harbor, with some here for just a few days, and others here until May or beyond. I’ve heard that there can sometimes be as many as 400 boats in this harbor, which must be something to see.
The cruisers here have built a very strong community among themselves and with the local towns people. Every morning at 8:00 on VHF channel 72 there is the “Cruisers Net”: the all important weather report leads off; followed by local business announcements; upcoming community activities are reviewed ranging from Total Immersion Swim Clinics to Texas Hold-em Tournaments; “Boaters General” follows with requests from spare parts to mechanical advice; new boats to the harbor are then introduced and welcomed; with a thought for the day closing out the ~10 minute broadcast.
While listening to our first Cruisers Net this past Sunday morning, they announced Beach Church at 9:30 a.m. I am not a regular church goer, in fact I usually just go at Christmas time. However, I have found myself praying more since we have hit the high seas. David’s Stepdad John was right when he said, “those who have never prayed have never been to sea.” I was intrigued by this idea of people from varying countries and states, gathered barefoot on the beach sharing a common time of prayer. Plus coffee, and pastries were to follow, so I thought I’d go check it out.
What a pleasant surprise! There were about 50 people gathered varying in
age from 9 to +75. The service opened with singing and a prayer, and then lots more singing (including singing hymns in rounds, I felt like I was at camp) this was followed by Tina, a long time Georgetown cruiser, offering a 10-15 minute reflection. Apparently it is an open invitation to anyone in the cruising community, and it varies each week.
Tina’s message focused around the Optimist Creed which had been given to her by an 85 year-old women who had experienced all that life can bring from joy to sorrow. The message served as a great reminder of many things I believe. I thought I would share it with you:
The Optimist Creed
1. To be so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind.
2. To look at the sunny side of everything and make all my dreams come true.
3. To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature I meet a smile.
4. To give so much time in the improvement of myself that I have no time to criticize others.
5. To speak of health, happiness and prosperity to everyone I meet.
6.To make all my friends feel that there is something special in them.
7. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own.
8. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. (I would change “forget” to “learn from”)
9. To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.
10. To be too large for worry, to noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
After the service, I visited with many of the cruisers and their kids. I never did make it to the pastry and coffee table. 🙂 I headed back to the boat with a renewed spirit and some new friends – what a great way to start the week.