Have I been alive today / in the last few days?
Yes!
What new things have I discovered about life?
I already knew it – but experiencing it all over again has confirmed it for me: Constructive praise really does you good. Yesterday, my friends from Hamburg came round and brought some tools and Helge with them; he’ll be helping with the interior fit-out for a week or more. Most people who come on board just say, „Blimey, there’s still loads of work to do!“ The two Bernds from Hamburg still recognised my boat from my time in Hamburg and expressed their appreciation and admiration: „You’ve really made a lot of progress.„ And – after a thorough inspection of the anti-corrosion coating – “You’ve done a great job!!”
They also think it’s feasible to be finished by April if we carry on at this pace. That’s what I’d like to do – if possible. That was encouraging too. It really does make a difference whether someone offers general praise or whether they’ve taken a close look, know what they’re talking about, and then give an informed opinion.
What new things have I discovered about myself
I don’t always find lightness easy. A good friend reminded me in an email that God is indeed with me and that the boat project should fill me with ease and joy – because HE is with me. Today I read Matthew 11: „Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest – for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.“ Even though Jesus’ words refer to being accepted by God – something we do not have to labour to achieve – they also reminded me, more generally, of the lightness that can be found in life.
After all, it’s often not the situations themselves that make life difficult, but rather the thoughts we dwell on:
– Will I manage to bid for or source affordable insulation material and panels for the wall cladding in time?
– Which wood-burning stove is the best?
– Will we manage to crane all the heavy items on board (carrying 100–400 kilos is surely too heavy)?
– Will I be able to sort out the electrics?
– What’s the best way to manage water, service water and waste water?
– Will I be able to keep going, health-wise and in terms of stamina?
– Will I earn enough over the next few months to cover all my expenses (I’m hoping for a really good Christmas sales period!)
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That and so much more goes through my mind. And it sometimes weighs heavily on my heart.
My favourite recipe for lightness:
– Constantly choosing not to worry
– Instead, to entrust to my God the things I find difficult.
– Tackling the tasks and things that need doing day by day
– Doing lovely things that energise me and that I enjoy.
I’m going to make a point of trying it out over the next few days.
