I have always found it difficult to explain endurance events to others, especially to those who have not completed an endurance event of their own. Yes, it is difficult, but each moment is different from the rest. Some days ten minutes will feel like ten hours and other days ten hours will feel like ten minutes.
Today has been one of those days where time just floats on, as it should. Every hundred decisions I make on a daily basis on land has already been made being at sea as well as the thousands of little decisions over the length of this journey. There is no questioning what I will be doing, where I will be going – my sole responsibility is to keep on rowing.
So I watch the ocean. I watch the sky, the wildlife, my mind and body. I watch the day turn into night, the days turn into weeks. I simply observe without feeling like I am “running out of time” or “time is against me.” And, for now, I gladly take on this full-time job of observation. In a fast-paced world with little room for deep reflection, it is out here that I feel my life is dictated more by simply “being” than constantly “doing.”
In so many ways, I am a world away, but do not be too jealous of this simple life. Soon enough I will be stumbling my way through the “real world”, yearning to be the observant one yet again.
And they wonder why I would ever want to row an ocean.
{ 39 comments }
Hi Katie,
I’m sure the daily routine would wear me out in a few days but when I read your posts and see the wonderful pix, I wish I was there!
Thanks for the inspiration. Can’t wait to see what your next challenge will be…lol.
God Speed,
Alan
Oh how I wish I was back out on the sea, and at the same time happy to be on land. It’s so good to hear that you’re enjoying it Katie. You’re obviously in the groove. Keep on it and enjoy that sunny weather. It’s bl00dy cold here.
Chris
Thanks for the pic Kate – you look amazing!! Hurry Up we miss you in this real world!
Hi, Katie.
The Web says the sparkles are bioluminescent dinoflagellates. Looks like that means glowing plankton.
I’ve loved your last couple of blogs. Enlightenment through endurance training. Could be a career – there are certainly plenty of people who would pay for the experience.
Many blessings to you.
Beth Bracale
By the way, your challenge when you come ashore will be to stay in that calm, observing place, living in the present moment. Let the chaos flow past you like water.
Beth
Beautiful picture Katie! What a peaceful view – the sun, the horizon, your glow. I am learning so much from you on this journey you are taking. Your reflections and thoughts have direct impact on how I am changing my view on my own rowing in life. Thank you.
Katie – WOW! When you explain it this way it makes perfect sense! OK, so i actually AM feeling a little jealous right now!!!!!!!!
elli
Katie, You are absolutely inspiring to all. You are doing a wonderful selfless act of kindness that is truly amazing. Your courage and strength are admirable. My prayers are with you! You can do it! God Bless! Lisa (Friend of T. Johns)
Katie – Amazing is all I can say!! ~ash
Wow, Katie, I admire your courage and strength. Without being too religious/spritual, I think you experience mindfulness, which some people train for a lifetime. I introduced you though via a PC)to my FB friends and they love it. Good luck and safe journey!
The beauty and the lesson of your journey is to understand how little information we really need to thrive in life. Thanks for reminding the rest of us who are enslaved by data points.
Your vision is enlightening.
Paul
You’re post made me think of one of my favorite quotes:
Witnessing is the key word for all meditators.
Witness that you are not the body..
Witness that you are not the mind..
Witness that you are are only the witness.” -Osho
Your journey is truly inspiring.
David
Good Job Katie… Prfoud to call you Family :O)
Very Zen….
Look at everything as though you were seeing it for the first time or the last time.
Then your time on earth will be filled with glory.
-berry smith-
It sounds like your days are full of Genesis moments….like having a front row seat to creation. How marvelous! But it is not easy I can see. I am thinking of you every day and praying that you will always be able to keep inside you the peace that has come from your challenge and your wonder.
Karen Stinson
Great job, Katie. Love the challenge and the posts. Stay strong!
Katie, I will be taking your observations and wisdoms to yoga class tonight, so that even more people can benefit from your choices. Thank you for all your sharing. You are making the world a more brilliant place. I hope that when you come home you can continue to bring what you have learned/experienced to your relationships with others. Kate
Katie-
My dad and I are watching your journey on your site and wish you luck. I have a question. Have you seen the dolphins again?
Blair, 7
Rocky River, Ohio
I am enjoying your posts. By the way, those glowing specs in the water are bioluminescent bacteria. The light is produced by a chemical reaction. They glow when stimulated by pressure waves– such as your oars or the bow of the boat. I saw them when I was diving in Mexico. The types of bacteria in the seawater are similar to those in the rear end of a firefly!!!
Best of luck and safe travels.
Katie, your blogs are very inspirational and encouraging! Glad to hear that you are enjoying this challenge!
you are awake.row row row your boat. goodluck
I’m really proud of your dedication and courage. May the Lord continue to bless and protect you. I a dad of a daughter about your age; she to is brave and adventuresome. Going to Argentina to work as a journalist. Love your photos.
Very Zen
Katie, each day you’re getting closer to your goal–we are praying for you and have confidence that your stamina and sheer will alone will result in a sucessful crossing.
Doo & Ellen
Katie,
I’m having a great deal of fun reading the comments to your posts, and enjoying the reflections, of the lives you are touching, while 3,000 miles away in the middle of the ocean.
It’s okay, not considered conceited, to close your eyes, smile, and say, “Yes! This is why!”
Love you, praying for you, watching every hour.
Rick
Katie,
Our students were really excited when I shared your story with them. Everyone is wishing you the best of luck and would like to see you at Noble Academy after you come back with your success story.
Below is our motto for the upcoming school newsletter:
Noble Academy has become an EXCELLENT school in its third year. Katie Spotz has crossed the Ocean when she is 22.
Thank you for showing our students NOT TO GIVE UP and Keeping One’s Expectations HIGH.
Good Luck again.
As a practitioner of Yoga, clearly your row is a metaphor for all our journeys in life. Your only purpose beyond being for the moment is to help provide the basics for the lives of others through your committment to fresh water for your chosen place in Haiti. Haiti has lost so much while you have been gone. A fortunate few will gain so much when you return. Thank you Katie.
You look well and have the smile of contentment. I’m awe inspired by your ability to stay focused on the moments, the senses. I imagine you taking in the warmth of the sun, the spray of the sea, the salty aroma, the sound of lapping water, rowing thuds and whooshes, breezes and the lack thereof from time to time and the stars, oh the stars you must see at night. Enjoy every second and keep living in the moment. Your journey is the goal, not the destination, as once you arrive, as you wrote, the yearning for the moment returns. Bless you in your journey and wishes from Geneva, OH!
Hello Katie!
I just found out about your row. You are like a super-heroine!!! Go girl power!
Mike D
Katie, What a beautiful way with a phrase you have. I hope you are writing your book. You are just amazing. A friend of mine is presently in Haiti working with injured children there. Before she left, I gave her your row for water site. I spoke with her this morning and she told me that the doctors there are also following your trip on the internet. So you are inspiring people who also inspire people. You are in my thoughts and prayers. KEEP Dancing! Pam
Katie it is 12:25a.m, Thursday, Willowick and its mighty chilly. Hope you are doing well and in high spirits. Just looking at the calendar and it is the feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas–this has got to be a GOOD DAY for you. CONGRADULATIONS OF PASSING THE 800 MILE MARK.
LOVE YOU! DOO & Ellen
your “observation” is the most succinct description of the ‘sacrament of the present moment’ I think I have ever read! Keep it up Katie
Alex
Living life to the fullest
Hi, Katie. You look and sound fantastic and your descriptions of your experiences make it all sound almost enticing! You’re doing a great thing for such a valuable cause. Keep strong and may the elements always be on your side. Very best wishes, Kit Williams.
Hi Katie,
You are so right we are all so busy and to just stop and observe all that is around us is needed. I hope you take this time and do what you must- observe and watch the beauty of the world that surrounds you.
You are an inspiration to me and to those who you have touched! Again, Thank you for all that you do!
Hi Katie –
WWC Enewsletter had a link to your journey, so that’s how I found you, and I just spent my evening reading up on all your entries and about your boat and your cause. I am a Warren Wilson grad, too, class of ’99, and I live in a rural Alaskan village on the Bering Sea where I have two small girls (Iris and Esther) and I teach reading in the local school. There is no running water in my village, and most people get their water from the community well or surrounding ponds (which means hauling ice at this time of year!), so your cause touched and impressed me. I was also amazed that you have almost reached your financial goal already — wow! I will add to it when I can.
I really admire your undertaking of this journey — and I have to admit I am captivated by the idea of doing something that removes you so far from your natural environment and makes you be alone with your thoughts — I think your “ramblings” as you characterized them are great insights into yourself, and most of us have so much going on in our lives that we are never able to dig that deep below the surface. It seems like an amazing combination: the physical challenge combined with the time to be alone and introspective — almost as if you will be completely transformed when you finish your journey, like this is your cocoon (and it seems like your little cabin is cocoon-esque!) and you will reach land as an entirely different creature. I’m envious! I’m sure it’s difficult at times, but wow, what an experience, what an opportunity, all of it, the good parts and hard parts and boring parts. You have inspired me and I’ll be checking back often.
Katie,
I found out about you from our intranet site as I work for one of your sponsors. We are cheering for you as you are truly an amazing person! I’m so inspired by your drive, your profoundness and your sense of ‘being’. Please know that you have an extended family that is here for you and God bless you!
Andrea
This was said beautifully! I’ll keep praying for you Katie!
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