Thursday, May 24, 2018

Oceans of Hope Croatia 2018

 ‘Oceans of Hope’, where possibilities live.


Back home in Austin Texas after an incredible sailing experience with Oceansofhope.org I am in deepest gratitude for those that cross my path🙏
MS has been my greatest teacher putting me in touch with parts of myself previously unknown.
But what am I capable of?
I don’t believe in limits. I believe in possibilities.
Oceans of Hope provides the perfect platform to experience what we with MS can do, while having a fantastic life affirming sailing experience.
I set about on my the Oceans of hope sailing voyage knowing only the basics of what we would be doing.
Over the week I filled in the blanks with experiences beyond my imagations reach.
If you want to meet the most incredible humans on the planet go on an Oceans of hope challenge.
I arrived in Split Croatia 🇭🇷 From Austin Texas after a three day warm up adventure courtesy of a broken plane in Houston.
Never underestimate the power of a positive attitude, it can help us transcend any situation.
There were 77 of us on 10 boats from twelve countries , each person with an amazing, totally unique story waiting to be engaged.
I took a different plane ✈️ than my luggage after my baggage and I parted ways in Houston.
I imagined spending the week in one pair of shorts and two T-shirts, but thankfully it was not to be.
At the baggage claim in Split, the first bag off was mine. It was a good omen for the entire week.
I didn’t meet everyone on the trip, but I know the essence of who you are. You are me and I am you.
Me and Seven crew mates, now friends for life, on our small yacht, sailing ⛵️ for a week, sharing,being, loving, laughing, crying with joy.
A loosely laid plan, add water and wind, stir, mix, repeat.
We added in Croatian seaside villages, history and a few beverages. Our experiences come along with the new improved versions of ourselves to share as we go forward..
The necessity of cooperation is ingrained into our being, we are the ones that help make the world a better place through our empathy, some of which comes from the experiences we share having MS.
There can be no other way for us, because we can’t do it alone. This is who we are.
I suggest we put any group fighting another on an Oceans of Hope adventure.
There will be no enemies when the boats pull back into port.
I have learned so much from each person on our little adventure, and I’ve shown myself yet again that there really are NO limits to what we are capable of.
I have so many new friends for life.
I am blessed, thank you all for enriching my life..

Boo Barksdale Austin Texas 



2 comments:

  1. Amazing blogging Boo! I am starting mine in my fashion and will be nowhere near as a brilliant and concise read!
    You, my friend, are a superstar.
    Roger

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  2. I am so grateful for the opportunity to meet you at the end of the week and spend a wonderful day in your company. Here's to friendship, here's to life and here's to us, all of us. With the sun in our face, the wind at our backs and the rain falling softly on our fields. xxx

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