Change is in the Air by Joy Sherman

My late afternoon shadow on a Greenwich CT beach

“Don’t worry about a thing, cause every little thing’s gonna be alright.” -Bob Marley

The Grace of Transition

Fall is a natural reminder to let go and make room for what’s next.  The sun sits lower in the sky and the angle adds a different perspective. The trees don’t resist they release.  We have had a delay in autumn here in New England. I came home from traveling expecting to have missed this beautiful changeover and was grateful to see lots of remaining color in the trees. The beauty isn’t holding on – it’s in the grace of transition. To embrace change is to trust that even as one season ends, another gently waits to begin. 

I welcome seasonal change in simple ways — long walks in the woods, sometimes solo, sometimes with friends. Movement, one foot in front of the other, breathing in the crisp air and finding peace in the steady rhythm of walking.

In winter, the woods open up. Without the leaves, you can see the curves and contours of the land, the quiet beauty that summer hides. From a high, wooded hill behind my house, each day I take a small walk into the woods to give Scupper his time to explore.  What a gift it’s turned out to be.  The simple ritual pulls me outdoors into the changing light as the sun sets.  What began as a have to do, transitioned to I get to do.

As a sailor, change shows up in many forms — shifting winds, turning tides, sudden weather changes, and the constant adjustment of sail trim. If you can’t learn to embrace those changes, you’ll fight against them — and that resistance only creates friction. Neither is good for smooth sailing, on the water or in life.

Embracing change isn’t just about adapting to what’s outside, it’s a healthy way to allow what’s inside to evolve.  Sometimes it means loosening control and admitting we don’t know what’s next.  Staying open to change can be a wonderful way to experience it.  As a former yoga teacher, it is natural and constant practice to “go with the flow”.  It’s  an integral part of the teachings.  I have to admit, it took years of practice to embrace allowing in uncertainty.  I’m still reminding myself of that all the time.

In 2010, I spent a month at Kripalu Yoga Center in Lenox, Massachusetts, where I learned one of the simplest yet most powerful tools I still use today: BRFWA — Breathe, Relax, Feel, Watch, and Allow. Those five steps are as useful on a yoga mat as they are at the helm of a sailboat or navigating change in daily life. They’re a gentle reminder that growth doesn’t come from forcing outcomes but from creating space — space to notice, to trust, and to let life move through you.

Change keeps us learning, keeps us humble, keeps us alive and open to the world around us. And when doubt creeps in, I think back to Marley’s simple refrain — every little thing is gonna be alright.

Warmly,

Joy

Joyride Annual Holiday Party

And before we set sail again…come CELEBRATE the season!

Join me for the Joyride Charters Annual Holiday Party at Il Gabbiano’s on Long Wharf, New Haven, Monday, December 9th at 6:00 PM. Please RSVP so we have enough appetizers. Cash bar.

Everyone’s invited — whether you’re a seasoned Joyride explorer or just curious to hear more. Come meet others who’ve sailed, share stories, and raise a glass to new adventures ahead. Let’s celebrate some holiday cheer together!

Upcoming Trips!

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

GREECE

CROATIA

THAILAND