Non-stop inspiration from courageous people following their dreams.

Where do I even begin today? A purposeful life continues to unfold at the Boat Show. I stopped by Wikked today for breakfast.

There was a woman waiting at the host desk waiting for a table to have a quiet breakfast. I asked her if she would mind if I joined her since I was also eating alone. Margot Rose is now on my growing list of courage people who do not stand on the shoring wishing they could see the world. She decided to change her life course in 1992 and has no regrets. She was the owner and captain of Southwinds for years before she sold her and opened her charter yacht vacation brokerage.

In 1992 Margot was deep into a very successful corporate career in Buffalo, New York. She had the opportunity to join a friend on a sailing vacation in the Grenadines that year, and decided to change her entire life direction. What she discovered is that she was a “sea turtle” who had been separated from the sea at birth and rediscovered that when she was on the water she was always at home. The manner in which she describes herself is “peculiar”. I would say she is one of the courageous few who follow their dreams. I look forward to when our paths cross again – which they will.

Victor Hugo aptly described this moment in his quote: “Each person should frame a life so that at some future hour their “fact” and their “dreaming” actually meet.”

My next stop was a moment with Captain Mike Calhoun of Southern Comfort – a Nautica 62 mono-hull. I am very familiar with this yacht because I got acquainted over the years with the previous owners, Mike and Sandy Lampe, and their son, Chris, who ended up being the Captain the last several years. Last year was Captain Calhoun’s first charter season as the new owner and he continues to deliver an unforgettable experience for his guests. Check out their website for more information.

I decided that there were so many yachts at the show that there was no way I would get to all of them. So, I had the bright idea of taking pictures of each of the boats and then go back and meet the captains and crew. Well, that idea lasted about ten minutes. When I took the picture of Honiara I – a mono-hull for one, two, or three couples, Adele Constantineau-Paré – the chef for Honiara I stepped off her yacht and asked if I had a moment to come aboard. How could I resist. She introduced me to her husband, Captain Pierre Boudreau and another amazing moment began.

The story that unfolded was of two French Canadians that had dreamed of sailing the world, and their “fact” and their “dreaming” had not yet met. Several years ago they decided to change that when they “practiced” a charter business on Lake Ontario. That single experience gave the confidence and courage to take the leap and see if they could create a business. The response from their first customers has already created a non-stop referral business. The experience they deliver to their clients is based on having them join Pierre and Adele for a week or more of sharing a sailing vacation with them. It was worked and they are have not looked back. Courage and having dreams come true seem to be a trend for this entire group of amazing professionals. I am off again to see what exciting experiences the day continues to bring.