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LIVE YOUR DREAMS
A dream can be anything. It can be a kiss that you can give tomorrow; an exam you want to pass by the end of the week; the family you want to start next year; or it could be a lifelong obsession to fly to the moon!
The wondrous thing is that everyone’s dreams are unique and personal to them. Back in 1989, I was enjoying a few beers in a pub with my good friend Jay Morgan, in Toronto. Conversation turned to Laurent Bourgnon and Fred Giraldi who crossed the Atlantic Ocean in a Hobie 18 back in 1986. Being a bit boozed up I thought—”if they can do it, why can’t we?”
I went on to build my own boat “Cookie”, and create the magic carpet of a 21 foot catamaran on which to fulfill my dreams. I sailed around the world from the UK to New Zealand in 1991 and then back again to UK in 1996. This voyage of discovery taught me many things about the world around us and even more about the person I am. Most of all it taught me the power of having a dream and the passion and excitement that it can bring. The sleepless nights fidgeting in bed without being able to switch off the runaway mind that is taking your dream and running with it – playing out all the endless possibilities.
I encourage everyone to dare to dream. To get in touch with what sparks their passions and set themselves a challenge molded from excitement. To me there are few more satisfying moments than when you have accomplished a goal that you set, even better a goal borne from dreams!
As a kid I had lofty dreams. Dreams that took me across the seven seas and to the far stretches of the watery globe, in search of wisdom; in search of culture; in search of humanity; in search of nature and balance; in search of myself. I found all that I ever dreamed of by taking the chance and daring myself to go.
Nowadays, I am a Dad, a home-maker, a provider, a role model. I can no longer set sail on a whim. But that does not mean I succumb dreams to the hurdles and obstacles of reality. I now have shorter term dreams. The sailing dinghy to build with the kids, the thrill in my kids eyes having the best family holiday yet, building a tree-house………for the kids of course!!
The McDougalls’ hearts lie in Placencia. Michelle and I have lived longer in this quaint village than anywhere else in our whole lives. We feel a part of the family here. Even as kids we got moved around a lot. So it is with a mixture of excitement and sadness that we embark on a new chapter. In October we have the chance to sail our friends’ boat up to Florida and then we will be making our way to the UK for Christmas. The first time Josh and Soph will have a Christmas with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Life will be a big change there for all of us, new challenges and new adventures. We plan to stay in the UK until July next year, and then we will have to decide the best course to chart………………………….
I for one, have set myself another challenge in Cookie. Perhaps my mid-life crisis!!? Perhaps planning another adventure before the bones get too old!!? I have entered Cookie into the Jester Challenge 2010. A single-handed sailing race from the UK across the Atlantic to Newport, Rhode Island against the wind, waves and currents. I personally need another big challenge in my life. Secondly I feel there is no better motivation for the young-uns amongst us than to see elders around them rise to the challenge of life! A link to their site is: www.jesterinfo.org
The link to the Cookie and Rory site is: www.roryandcookie.com
We will keep you all posted as to the way the Cookie crumbles.
Thank you Placencia, for being our good friends and neighbors. We will be back soon………..
Rory Michelle Joshua & Sophie McDougall
