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Thursday, December 26, 2024

A Lifestyle That Doesn't Require My Presence-At Sea

A Lifestyle That Doesn't Require My Presence—At Sea

A Lifestyle That Doesn't Require My Presence—At Sea

The Future is Here, but Not Everywhere

The International Dateline is a strange and magical place—a point where time begins, yet somehow feels suspended. Here in Tonga, it’s as though the clock takes a break. No Starbucks. No wireless. Just the world wide wait. It’s less about high-speed connections and more about disconnecting.

The Internet may be the world’s most powerful magnifier of slack, but living on these islands—surrounded by sun, sea, and endless heat—is a true art of unhurried living. Manyana never comes. Pass the poi, and don’t worry—be happy.

A Morning Ritual

Mornings begin with coffee and a jog around the deck, where the ocean stretches endlessly. My perception of time shifts—no longer ruled by strict schedules but by the rhythm of the waves. Life here moves between two opposing poles:

  • Monochronic living: Doing one thing at a time, focused and deliberate.
  • Polychronic living: Constantly adjusting, juggling, and adapting to change.

For now, I embrace the latter. Maybe I’ll even get a tribal tattoo to blend in with this beautiful, timeless culture.

The Persistence of Time

The last time I reflected on the concept of time was during a visit to the Salvador DalĂ­ collection in St. Tropez. It was September 14, 2009. I titled my post “The Persistence of Time” and wrote:

"What kind of vacation would you choose if you knew you wouldn’t remember it? Would you still go? Experience versus memory."

DalĂ­ captured this paradox perfectly. His work reminds us that time is fluid, subjective, and surreal. As he famously said:

“The only difference between me and a madman is that I am not mad.”
“I don’t do drugs. I am drugs.”

Traveling, in its way, is an overdose of satisfaction. It’s a life sentence—one where we yearn for journeys as prisoners dream of freedom. We all want time off for good behavior.

Between Experience and Memory

Daniel Kahneman once wrote, “We don’t choose between experiences; we choose between memories of experiences. We don’t think of our future as experiences; we think of our future as anticipated memories.”

It’s a truth I’ve come to understand deeply. This journey isn’t just about living—it’s about creating a tapestry of memories that I’ll carry forever.

Closing Thoughts

At sea, time bends. Plans shift. Priorities realign. The lifestyle I’ve found here doesn’t require my presence in the traditional sense—because being here, in the present moment, is enough.

As DalĂ­ might say: "There are some days when I think I’m going to die from an overdose of satisfaction."

© 2024 Reflections at Sea

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