Home

This past week Andrew and I had the great opportunity to sail in the Les Voiles de St. Barth's with some of our dearest friends, with some of the most impressive boats in the world, in the waters of one of the most pristine islands in the world.

We spent a week living out of duffles, sailing fast around the course, drinking Ti Punch at Jimmy Buffett's favorite bar La Select, exploring the white sand beaches and cooling off in the crystal turquoise waters. Sounds too good to be true? It wasn't. I wish I was lying, but this place was more beautiful and pristine than any of the 26+ Caribbean islands I've visited.



And all the while, I was reading Gretchen Rubin's "Happier at Home".

It seemed like an odd choice of books to be reading as I was surrounded by such a magical place. So removed from the pressures of everyday life and my home reality, but at the same time, it was the perfect read for this time and place. I'm certainly not unhappy at home, but sometimes my "there sounds better than my here".

You see, now and then, Andrew and I dream of leaving all this behind. Trading in our house for a sailboat. Seeing more of the world. Freeing ourselves from the material things we have quickly accumulated in 2 short years and taking the stress of owning a house from our lives. We are not hamster wheel people.  We don't believe in waiting until retirement to do things. We believe in the now. We are square pegs trying to fit in round holes. 

Every time we pack those duffles, we get a sweet taste of what life could look like if we just left it all behind. We also get ideas for where the next adventure might take us.

As I continued to delve into Rubin's book, I was reminded of a few truths: "the true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of the daily life"; "each time of life has its own kind of love"; and "the only person I can change is myself".

When the last page was turned, I closed the book and felt clarity.  Like my mind was suddenly a vast field with big puffy clouds and wild flowers as far as I could see. A powerful sense of peace.

Our possessions, our people, our marriage, that is home. It is where I feel comfortable, where I thrive, where I continue to chase this idea of happiness. At this time and place in our lives, I don't want to move to a dreamy caribbean island. I don't want to uproot my life, my emotions or my home. I am genuinely happy with where we live and where we are building memories. I am also happy to continue visiting the dreamy caribbean islands and seeking new adventures.

And at the end of each adventure, I want to come home.