I had flash of insight this past weekend. I suppose it wasn’t particularly deep or world-changing, but it was a bit of a lightbulb moment for me, so I thought I’d share in the hope that it might speak to others.
I’ve always thought the saying, “that ship has sailed” is suggestive of regrets and the wistful sadness of opportunities missed, chances not taken, dreams unfulfilled.
But the other day I realized that, when looked at from another angle, this saying can be seen as something far more positive.
Freedom.
Sure, we can waste our precious time wallowing in misery over the unfairness of losing out on something we desired but for whatever reason didn’t receive or achieve… OR we could let go, wave goodbye, and revel in our newfound freedom.
Freedom to stop beating ourselves up about our failures and shortcomings.
Freedom to forgive ourselves for our mistakes.
Freedom to hop aboard a different ship.
A couple of days ago I was telling Peter all about my second drawing class and how thrilled I was to have been taught so much in such a short time. I enthused about my developing love of art, and how there was so much more to learn, and stated that I want to always be taking new art classes so that I can continue to expand my skills.
And that’s when the light came on.
I realized that I am ready to let the ship carrying the academic degree I never achieved SAIL (taking with it the accompanying self-imposed guilt and regret) and discard the notion that “some day” I’ll finish university. Instead, I will hop aboard a different ship, one where I can create and grow and find fulfillment in what I’m actually doing NOW instead of fretting about what I didn’t accomplish in the past, and use my time and energy to learn what I want to learn instead of what I’ve always felt I should learn.
That ship has sailed? Sounds like freedom to me.
Are you ready to hop aboard a different ship?
Please share!
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Yes! I am all about freedom and living in this moment, enjoying life. No more “should-ing” on ourselves. This mon6ent is what we have. Laurel, I am happy to have found your blog trough the Write Tribe group on Facebook. I really enjoy your posts. Great minds think alike!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 19, 2015
Thank you so much, Julie – glad you enjoy! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – November 1-18, 2015
Oh I love this. I had always framed this phrase as negative and filled with regret…
Carla recently posted… We cant make time.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 19, 2015
Me too, Carla. Glad to have figured out a new way of looking at it!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – November 1-18, 2015
I really like your take on that saying…it sounds so much more positive and freeing! Good for you for realizing that about yourself and giving yourself permission to move on to bigger and better things!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 19, 2015
Thank you so much, Charlotte!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – November 1-18, 2015
Twitter: RamblinGarden
November 16, 2015
Smiling as I read this. I’ve always used this in a negative way. Next time, I won’t. I have a few ships in my harbor I’d like to send out to sea – forever.
Alana recently posted… Music Monday – Manhattan Tower and Other Odds and Ends
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 19, 2015
Me too, Alana. I think I’ll do just that. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – November 1-18, 2015
Twitter: DebbieDoglady
November 16, 2015
It’s so hard to let go sometimes, isn’t it? “Hop aboard a different ship.” That’s brilliant!
Debbie D. recently posted… BE NICE TO OLD PEOPLE! #MondayMusings #MicroblogMondays
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 19, 2015
Thank you, Debbie!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – November 1-18, 2015
You know I had this same “aha” moment recently Laurel. I just had to say good-bye to a number of things, and people, in my life that had really taken up too much of my energy. It took a while but you’re right, it is freedom.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 19, 2015
Definitely. Glad I’m able to look at it that way now. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – November 1-18, 2015
Twitter: Mrs.
November 16, 2015
Oh, I love this! I have hopped to a different ship, but am realizing that not only has my first ship sailed, it’s caught fire/broken in half/is sinking into the depths. I also find it freeing though to realize that I can be on my new ship (adoption) without looking back to that other ship (any remote possibility that I’ll ever be pregnant), that my new ship can take me to awesome new places, new adventures that my old ship just wasn’t capable of doing. I love this positive spin!
Jess recently posted… #Microblog Mondays: Mourning What Will Never Be
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 19, 2015
Great attitude, Jess! I wish you all the very best on that different ship. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – November 1-18, 2015
Twitter: TraciYorkWriter
November 16, 2015
I’m totally on board with the idea of waving goodbye to one ship, and hopping aboard the good ship Freedom! Great new twist on an old saying – thanks for sharing your perspective.
Traci York recently posted… MM – Novel Halfway point
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 19, 2015
Thank you very much! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – November 1-18, 2015
Twitter: Anagnihotri
November 16, 2015
Everytime I visit here I get a boost of positivity. Thank you for pointing out the positive side of the phrase which, generally speaking, entails a negative sentiment. It is just like the saying – “Each coin has got 2 sides”.
Anamika recently posted Bought books, then read.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 19, 2015
That is so very kind, and I am so glad! Thank you for telling me. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – November 1-18, 2015
You have a picture of a steamboat. Oh my gosh… I grew up on the Mississippi River. Those boats always return. 🙂
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 19, 2015
They’re pretty wonderful. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – November 1-18, 2015
As someone who loves watching boats and is totally fine not actually being in the boats, it has always been an odd phrase to me. Why would I be sad watching a ship sail away when it can be so pretty watching it from the dock?
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 19, 2015
Another great perspective!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – November 1-18, 2015
Twitter: parul2411
November 18, 2015
Such a positive post and could not stop smiling at the various chances we all get to learn something new and explore a bit more about ourselves. Thank you for the dose of inspiration this morning 🙂
Parul recently posted… A frustrated Bangalorean
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 19, 2015
Thank you, Parul!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – November 1-18, 2015
Twitter: CorinneBlogs
November 18, 2015
I’m so happy that you’re exploring new ways of honing your skills, Laurel. And what a great perspective. It can apply to so many areas of our lives. Guess as those ships sail away, there’s more room in the harbor for new ships!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted… Stop And Smell Your Children
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 19, 2015
Exactly right, Corinne!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo A Day Challenge – November 1-18, 2015
Twitter: Shirl_Corder
November 23, 2015
Super concept – to skip ships! Great to find your blog. I’ll be back.
Shirley Corder recently posted… Well-balanced Word-Count – Infographic
Twitter: alphabetsalad
November 24, 2015
Thank you, Shirley! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Tangled Tuesday No. 69
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