Learning How to Build a Better Boat…in Life

This last summer, Sean and I were headed to my friend’s house for a Jamaican birthday celebration. I was so excited because I love to learn about culture and the cultural influences that shape people’s lives. It is really my favorite part of traveling, and I suppose the cultural aspect is why I love to travel so much. Sean mentioned in the car that Kenny Chesney had a new tribute album dedicated to all of the people devastated by the 2017 hurricanes, and he asked if I would like to hear it. I have loved Kenny Chesney’s music for well… forever, so I was very excited to listen.

As we listened to all of the great songs on the album, one had a profound impact on me, Better Boat. Sean loved it too, so he looked up the writer, and his name is Travis Meadows. Meadows is a recovering drug addict. One day in recovery, he heard a speaker say that serenity was not found in a calmer sea but rather in the building of a better boat. That inspired Meadows to write the song.

Sean and I began listening to Meadows’ music, and before long, we were fans. This past October, we went to see Meadows perform at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur. The man was awesome, and he had some really great life stories to accompany his music. Meadows was a cancer survivor, he had been in jail and addicted to alcohol and drugs. Still, Meadows was trying to build a better boat with his life.

Better Boat is a song dedicated to always trying to better your life, regardless of how much perfection or disarray you have in it.

I ain’t lonely, but I spend a lot of time alone
More than I’d like to, but I’m okay with staying home
My how the last few months have changed
I’m smiling more despite the pain

The song was so impactful and inspirational to me. Two years ago, I left a position that I loved because my morals crossed with the job, and no matter how much I loved my work, it was not worth sacrificing my beliefs.

I breathe in, I breathe out
Got friends to call who let me talk about
What ain’t working, what’s still hurtin’
All the things I feel like cussing out

I was very depressed. However, one day, Sean looked at me and said. “You know, Brandi, you were a teacher… and you are still a teacher, what about going back into the classroom?” I had traveled so far away from my core of who I was; I had forgotten that I was a teacher… this was so enlightening, and I decided that if I was once a teacher, I could be again.

Now and then I let it go
I ride the waves I can’t control
I’m learning how to build a better boat

I was lucky enough to pick a school and get hired right away. I absolutely love the school. The teachers are great, my teams are great. I have made wonderful new friends. I have been very happy for the last two years.

However, last September, I spent my fall break with Jackson and Lucy. They still had school work to complete, so I helped them with their assignments for a few days. Sean took some time off near the end of the week, and the kids finished their schoolwork while we traveled. It was perfect. This got me seriously thinking about how I wanted to spend my future.

I hate waiting, ain’t no patience in these hands
I’m not complaining, sometimes it’s hard to change a man
I think I’m stronger than I was, I’ll let God do what he does

By the end of the break, I realized that as much as I loved teaching at a brick and mortar school, I wanted to stay home with my kids. This is a totally different Brandi that I had ever been before. I had been the chaser. I had earned four degrees by the time I was 28 years old. I wanted to see how much money I could make each year while having my summers off. It was a challenge, and I was always ready to beat it. Now, I could have cared less about the money or the chase.

I breathe in, I breathe out
Got friends to call who let me talk about
What ain’t working, what’s still hurtin’
All the things I feel like cussing out

A lot of things began to hit me in my face. Were Sean and I going to work forever? When would we accomplish all of our dreams of traveling? Would it be worth it if we never reached our dreams? Suddenly, chasing the almighty dollar seemed foolish. What if I did something different with my life? This was scary, but I knew it was time.

Now and then I let it go
I ride the waves I can’t control
I’m learning how to build a better boat

It was time again to make a change. I have always been interested in blogging, but I had no clue how. This last December, Sean and I took the plunge and decided to learn. I will still educate online, but I will do it from home with Jackson and Lucy. Sean is working himself towards online teaching as well. There is so much to do and see in this world, and I don’t need to sacrifice my happiness to do it. When I stopped chasing the dollar and started chasing happiness, I found that they were not going in the same direction. I realized that God took me on a path that led me to this point. And I choose to travel his path, I have traveled mine for too long.

Now and then I let it go
I ride the waves I can’t control
If it’s working, I don’t know
When I get done the thing may not float
But I’m learning how to build a better boat

Music and Lyrics by by Travis Meadows and Liz Rose

Thank you for following us on our journey. We hope you will sail along with us as we travel into new waters! We would love to hear from you. Please drop us a line in the comment section below.