Don’t Tip the Boat Over

One of the adages from childhood that has traveled with me over the years is “I’m waiting for my ship to come in.” It has been hard for this sentiment to sail away since I have continued to hear various friends and family speak it—especially lately. The referenced ship is a metaphor for financial abundance. I’ve previously mention my Pretend Book Club—we actually did read some books. One was The Game of Life and How to Play It, by Florence Scovil Shinn. In the book, Shinn mentioned that ship so many of us have been waiting for. However, when I read about the ship, my perspective shifted significantly.

In the past, when I envisioned the ship, I was standing at the docks, waiting impatiently, hoping that the big boat would pull into port and unload its riches upon me. This could come in the form of winning the lottery, receiving an inheritance from a random stranger, or even being chosen by a patron to receive his or her largesse. After reading Shinn, I began to see myself as ON the ship, guiding it even, as it makes its way to land. I am the captain of my ship, and my thoughts work hand in hand with the Divine compass to guide where I will travel.

There is no promise that the journey will be easy and effortless. Sometimes the waters are choppy, and sometimes it’s smooth sailing. No matter the circumstance, I patiently stay the course, doing what I need to do to bring my figurative ship in. I give praise and feel gratitude to still be afloat when all I see is an expanse of sea. I give praise and feel gratitude when I see signs of reaching firmer ground—a bird flying, perhaps a leaf floating on the water. Back in the literal world, on my self-guided USS Abundance, signs of “the flow” show up as increased appointments or product sales, new opportunities, ready yeses to my requests, unexpected windfalls, and quick manifestation of stated desires, to name a few.

Another childhood reference also comes to mind—a verse from 1974 Hues Corporation song: “Rock the boat, don’t tip the boat over…” That is my task as captain of my ship. So here are five tips on how not to tip the boat over:

1. Pray: This maintains my connection to the God/Goddess/Creator/Divine Compass energy. I surrender my will and expectations of how the ship will get to the destination.
2. Meditate: Being still helps release the noise that tries to disrupt my trip, including thoughts of fear, lack, impatience, not enoughness etc. Instead, the harmonious sounds of peace enter in.
3. Share: When you’re on a ship, you can slip into lack mentality, thinking you’ll not have enough. I do my best to shift this thinking, and what helps is to see where I have overflow and to share from it. I think in terms of the 3 T’s: if I feel low on treasure, I may have extra time and talent to offer. I have found people are grateful for whatever I choose to share with them.
4.  Ask: I have been guilty of expecting people to mind-read, and I’ve learned the mind-reading skills of others is overrated. I have learned it is better to ask than go without. I will get a yes or a no. Asking others for help also can provide them with an opportunity to serve. And perhaps others may know of resources that can assist.
5. Praise: I tap into joy, lift my voice in gratitude, and dance in advance, knowing it is already done! This puts me in a higher vibration, where I can recognize the abundance in its many forms that is already present, and attract more.

So, my fellow and sister travelers—don’t settle for passenger status, or wait on the beach hoping a ship will miraculous find and rescue you. Remember that you, too, are a captain of your own ship. Best wishes as you develop your own tips on how not to tip your boat over as you sail the seas, seining the abundance that is available to us all.