What makes you happy?
The last couple of days in ZTC-land have been filled with music. It all started out with an impromptu jam session with our friend on Hog Island and inspired by that, several more hours were devoted to musical practice and play.
I decided to undertake learning two different songs yesterday: Don’t Worry, Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin and Three Little Birds by Bob Marley. Rebecca and I ended up having our own cool little jam session with me on the Uke and her playing the nice set of bongos that our friend Jim gave us.
For the benefit of those beings originating from another planet who are not actually familiar with those two songs, the lyrics of both focus on avoiding worry. We all know that so many of the things that we worry about in our day-to-day lives never even come close to occurring or causing us problems. Here’s a recent example. A week ago Rebecca and I were at a bar for happy hour. Well, as often happens, happy hour turned into happy several-hours. The very cool bartender working there was treating us very well, including offering us free drinks here and there. When the time came to leave, it ended up being a bit rushed and after we returned to our boat, I was convinced that I didn’t pay our tab (my memory was a bit cloudy at that point). I stressed about that for an entire week as it took that long for us to get back to see him. When we finally did, it ended up being a non issue. Apparently I had in fact paid our bill before leaving and even if I hadn’t, I’m sure it wouldn’t have been a big deal anyway. Plenty of stress and worry for nothing. Now, you might feel that the things you stress about are much more significant than that and deserve your worry. Perhaps so. I just know that the act of worrying won’t solve them one way or the other.
Want some more psycho-babble inspired by those two songs? I was also thinking about what makes us happy here. Big things like ice cubes, a refreshing rainwater shower, a cold beer on the beach, a hard workout (that one came from you know who) and spending time with our friends, or each other, playing music. Big things, right? No new cars, big-screen TVs or $800.00 suits required. Such is the life on a boat. We don’t have room for things like that so they never enter into the equation.
Even though space on a boat is at a premium, I would suggest though that every person heading out cruising should devote at least “a bit” of room on their boat for a musical instrument (or 2 or 3). Even if you don’t yet play, what a perfect time, and place, to learn. If there’s one thing you’ll have on a passage, it’s free time, and with the exception of your traveling companion(s), there will be no one around to hear you struggle during the early stages of learning. You might want to throw in a set of ear plugs for them though, just in case. In closing, be happy! 🙂
For the aliens…
and although definitely not the original version, you gotta love Playing for Change!
Playing for Change makes me VERY HAPPY!
Same here.
Amen! Or whatever you deem appropriate.
🙂
Once I do make the break, that is part of my plan – I”m just wondering where to put the console piano on the boat 🙂 Really though – I’m wondering how well a saxophone will hold up in tropical environment on a boat. Maybe a good time to learn the guitar – I’ll add it to the ever-expanding things I have to learn for my life change !
Our friend Andy had a Sax with him on his boat and he was a very popular addition to the various jam sessions that went on in Georgetown.
M&R,
Thanks for keeping up the inspiring blog. Really appreciate the valuable info with both your joys and your struggles – keeping it real. Yes making happy music on a boat (or anywhere) is a wonderful thing. The uke and bongos seem like very fun and practical cruising instruments. So here’s more happy inspiring music (with an 8 string?uke)
http://vimeo.com/16197810
I loved that video!
“Worry is interest paid on borrowed trouble…” – Adrian Rogers
And we all know that we don’t want to be paying any kind of interest.
Funny you should mention “Playing for Change”, as we just discovered them this past Saturday. What a great cause! Gonna purchase their CD this week! Music is such a universal thing … although we don’t play any instruments we plan on bringing bongos and a harmonica on the boat. A ukelele would be cool, as I (Cheryl) took guitar lessons for 3 years when I was a kid and would really like to pick up that or something similar again. Glad your worries are small … can’t wait to be able to say the same soon!
Although I didn’t include them in the photo, we have 3 harmonicas on board.
I am truly inspired by your postings, pictures and real life!! Every day, checking in with you two brings me one step closer to living the dream!! Thank you!
Hi Tonya. Thanks for the nice comment!!!
Hey, I think I recognize that maraca!
Good eye Mr. Benefiel.
I’m planning on taking my bagpipes with me when I finally move aboard. I can’t wait to hear how they sound across the water.
We once anchored in a spot (back in Canada) where someone was playing the bagpipes on the bow of his boat. Very cool.