DEAR DIARY,
The other day I read an article, by a guy named Steve Bloom, on how the island of Hawaii was discovered. And, you’re not gonna believe what I’m about to relate to you. It kind of sums up how I’m feeling right now, on this journey to the bottom of it all. This one just has an ending. Mine is still very much on going. But, this story had its share of “on going.”
Around AD 1000, a group of Polynesian sailors explored a bunch of islands in the South Pacific. Eventually, they found Hawaii. I know, islands and land are discovered all the time. But, what makes this particular story more amazing than any other kind of discovery, is this.
Bloom observes, that If you look at a map of the world, Hawaii is one of the most isolated spots on the planet. It looks like it’s literally in the middle of nowhere. There isn’t another land mass for thousands of miles in all directions from its shores. So, it’s a miracle it was discovered by early humans, who had no means of navigation other than the stars. Well…stars and some pretty hearty feathered friends.
Let me explain.
While discovering the islands was enough of a miracle, because of it’s location, the most amazing part was what it took to get there and how they figured out there was even a land mass to look for. But, they knew something was there because there was a certain bird that migrated north out into the open water every year. They would follow the birds out into the open ocean, but the birds flew faster than they could paddle. At some point, they would lose track and have to turn back.
Every year they would try again. Every year they’d get further out into the ocean. Still nothing.
According to the article, it took them 400 years to finally reach Hawaii. 400 bloody years! Imagine the sheer will it would take to do that! After generations of hard work, belief, perseverance and determination – after years of uncertainty and doubt they finally reached their goal. To actually reach it, must have brought many of the travelers to tears.
In the article, Bloom has some key takeaways from the story, and I‘ve adapted them to my journey. So, here is my interpretation of his observations.
It’s important to inspire yourself, to always keep your goals on the horizon. Health and joy, is like Hawaii, a goal that I’m constantly trying to keep in view. The things I learn along the way, are like the birds I can use to navigate towards that destination. The obstacles in life are like an ocean that can knock me off course at any time. The last, and pretty much most important, is this; the more you paddle, the stronger you get ,and the easier it is to keep that horizon in view.
I found this quote by Nelson Mandela, that I think pretty much nails my journey up to this point, and is something I really need to keep in mind as I struggle down the road.
“Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.
Everyday I keep trying to move forward, it feels like I make progress and then I just lose my way. That “thing” that guides me, I lose sight of (often) and then I have to start all over again. Then the “thing” comes back around and re engages me in my journey. If resistance is the thing that makes me lose site of my goals, then whatever this is, is what helps me find it again. You could call it my thermostat, or maybe something a bit more spiritual than that.
I’m grateful that it keeps coming back around, like those birds, to draw me back out to sea for another trip into the vastness of my struggle with weight. It pushes me to paddle harder. I just need to remember those brave people, so many eons ago, and how they persevered.
If I can just persevere, even a fraction of what those ancient peoples managed…then someday I just might find my Hawaii.
Until next time,