Jenny Wittman - 8/11/08
Just as John Denver wrote that he was ‘born in the summer of his 27th year', for me it was the fall of my 26th when I officially became Outward Bound. Outward Bound, in the literal sense, is a nautical term meaning that a ship is leaving the safe harbor and headed ‘outward bound’ into the unknown and vast sea. It was the first day of my Outward Bound Sailing course in Maine when I was given my first initiative that these words forever lost their literal meaning in my mind.
Seven students and 2 instructors boarded the 30 foot pulling boat and all sat eagerly awaiting what we had anticipated for months, to finally chant, ahoy mate, and set sail in Maine! What we didn’t quite realize is that this simple task would take more perseverance, communication and teamwork than we had ever imagined. As we all sat in our respective positions on the boat in Wheeler Bay, silence and fear struck when we were given our first challenge to actually leave the safety of the dock and head out to the mooring in the middle of the bay. We all looked around at each other in panic and then quickly at the stern of the boat, and I thought to myself, “Umm, where’s the motor?”
After a few moments of nervous jokes and laughter, the crew of boat Seven took on the challenge and humbly untied the oars. We had a few things to learn before we would glamorously ‘set sail’. When we completed our first initiative successfully and reached the mooring, I discovered that sailing this boat would only be done with the work of a team. This was an intimidating realization due to the fact that I was on a boat with 8 strangers who I was now dependent upon as my crewmates. As the days progressed this realization became a reality, one that would change my perspective forever.The next seven days were filled with intense sail training highlighted with challenge, adventure and simplicity of life. We woke at 0500 everyday to jump into the Atlantic waters and start the day with a sunrise and a swim. We had several hours of technical instruction and the day would be left to us as a crew to navigate our boat to the next destination. All challenges were faced and literally turning your back to frustration was not an option. We had to face challenge and adversity eye to eye. I was taught how to strike the mast, weigh the anchor, and to triangulate the location of the boat on a chart. There were days when the wind hit the boat just right and we sailed; smiling, with our eyes squinting into the sun, uncertain of the next moment, but loving the moment right then. There were other days when just moving our pulling boat 100 feet seemed to take 3 hours and the challenge seemed overwhelming. No matter which situation we all agreed that we felt truly alive.
As the end of my sailing course drew near, I discovered it was not the wind in my hair, the sun on my face, or navigating the waters as we sailed into the sunset- that helped me become truly Outward Bound. Yes, I had left the harbor and knew how to sail a pulling boat into the vast and unknown sea, but I was reminded of more important lessons. I remembered the importance of listening, trusting and communicating. I learned from Jackie that being quiet and compassionate is sometimes most effective, I learned from Nick that at times humor is the best way to relax and gain new perspectives, I learned from Allan that if you give it your all-you can- make it happen. I learned from Jen that a really big smile can warm any heart.
At the end of my course I sat and stared at the words Outward Bound on the side of the boat. For some reason the literal meaning didn’t even come to mind. Outward Bound to me had become a 7 day journey that made me realize who I was and what it was like to feel the spirit of an amazing adventure with 8 people who you never would have known if you passed them on the street. I learned so much more than how to tie a knot or strike the mast. I found that each unique person on this earth has something to teach you. For some, it takes a 30 foot pulling boat on the coast of Maine rowing through the night and actually listening to what each amazing person has to say. For this reason as we sailed back into the safe harbor, Outward Bound was no longer just a definition; it was a way of living.
