At Off Center Harbor, we like encourage the ideas of slowing down, getting out into nature in simple boats, and making things with our hands. We serve those ideas up unabashedly, as if they could be the secrets to the universe (or at least the secrets to happiness). Admittedly, we do this using only loose associations and no real substance or scientific proof behind our assertions.
All that could be changing though…
As scientists at Harvard (and monks in monasteries), begin to put data behind the study of happiness, I’m starting to wonder if sailors and boatbuilders might be tapping into something essential in the human experience, and if we who are afflicted with OCHD might be tapping into the secrets of happiness rather than suffering from a debilitating personality disorder. Perhaps this is just further delusion induced by the affliction, but at minimum it might serve as effective denial language for our family — “I’ll be down at the boat, honey… just tapping into the secrets of happiness.”
Ever since writing the post “Do You Have OCHD?“, I’ve been thinking some about the activity we call sailing, and how the combination of so many changing elements of wind, tide, currents, sail position, direction, eagles, ledges, etc. keeps me so totally “in the moment” that it serves as a deep meditation. The same thing happens for me in the shop, making something using my head and hands — total emersion in the moment.
When I heard this recent show on TED Radio Hour, I thought others who have OCHD might appreciate hearing it.
Stay tuned for Part 3 in the series, as I’m digging into whether the idea of slowing down may have similar merits. By the way, I’ve retitled the first piece on OCHD to be Part 1 of this series on the secrets to happiness — Do You Have OCHD? (The Secret to Happiness, Part 1). When I wrote that first piece I had no idea that we’d be unlocking the secrets to the universe on Off Center Harbor.
“Ha! Good fun.” as Wayne Roberts used to say.
Laurits Jorgensen says:
It is likely that all the virtues of the boating life you extol apply to almost any avocation. Anders S. comments on the joys of the night watch and I, as a former sailboat owner, do miss the peace and quiet of night time sailing but I have found other equally satisfying pursuits. Creative pursuits always evoke deep thoughts about purpose, meaning and the satisfaction derived from that activity. Producing a work of art, a boat, a custom off road/overland vehicle, etc.. is it’s own reward. Putting the object you created to use will provide many happy, peaceful moments around the campfire, sailing, fishing, etc. Being engaged in life is paramount.
Bert van Baar says:
All beautifull said!
One more thing to add: when you’ve building or sailing your boat, most of the times there is no boss, no office-work or other distractions from “above”. You feel free, in that moment.
I like the way you’ve put it: busy with wind, tijde, sails etc. That is exactly what it is during sailing.
The same counts for setting up, planking and painting your own uild boat. Everything else does not matter anymore. These are ‘your’ moments and nobody can take that away from you: Real Freedom.
Peter Hendrickson says:
When the glass and epoxy come inside the house to warm up for a small farm repair job, I think. “Really should be getting to work on another boat…maybe a SUP project.” And then a seed catalog finds us and it signals its time to take the trailer down the road for another load of horse manure. Or another Mountaineer enrolls in an after dark hide to lead next week. Building, paddling, sailing, farming, walking at night — they’re of a kind.
Anders Swahn says:
I have reached the same conclusion that “messing around with boats” brings happiness because it lends it self to staying in the moment which is what Eckard Tolle and many others teach is the key to happiness and serenity. I have noticed that when I’m at sea for extended periods of time that feeling of calm and serenity further deepens. Beeing in the moment is part of it but also the repetitive nature of the sounds and motion as well as a light form of sensory deprevation that comes from beeing away from all the distractions of the modern life. Sitting on a night watch after a week at sea is something that is very rewarding. The few moments in my life what I have truely felt as one with the Universe have all been at sea. Thank you from writing this and for putting fourth this idea which I totally agree with. I’m looking forward to hear the TED talk on the subject.
Anders
Andy Reynolds says:
With regard to sensory deprivation, (as well as architecture) I think that in most cases, less is more.
Anne Bridgman says:
Have you heard the term “polynavicularmorbus?” We define it as “death by too many boats.” My husband and I suffer from a severe case, but we are happy sailors …
Marc Ranger says:
Very good Steve, keep it up. Here in Wakefield Quebec, we are in the throes of winter. Last winter I built a small cedar planked pram and that kept me happy. I think you are on to something.
Cheer’s
Marc Ranger