Behold the evidence of my previous claim, that a soul can return to childhood, with the Lord, and grow up again. So, the thing we lost is restored 1,000 fold.

He meant for us to know Him, and enjoy Him. And, our past misfortunes, regrets, outright rebellion and hedonism, we can sail away from, like Captain Bligh in the film, “The Bounty.”

There were two personal agendas at work in that story. One was an extremely nervous captain, trying very hard to prove his value, in a world where who had value and who did not was firmly established.

If ever there was an -ism worth preserving, that should be one. We are none of us born stereotypes! The high born, privileged ones may well rot at fulfilling their roles. While those of low estate surprisingly excel beyond all we can ask or imagine. America!

The sea embroils us all. It has great imagination and life to give! Those who transverse it receive the reward it generously bestows.

The second character in the story, Fletcher Christian, appears a wishy washy soul, who values what he wants above what is genuinely heroic. (At least according to Hollywood, but they cannot be trusted.)

However, Fletcher meets an unhappy end and disappears into obscurity. This suggests that the useless, self indulgent, idealistic or cowardly, cannot inherit the kingdom. Or survive to use practical terms. This seems accurate to me. He did not grow up the reality Bligh’s experienced daily. So, he was unprepared to face its harshness.

I decided today that I can be my own Captain, of my own Bounty. There is always a Fletcher Christian doubting me, questioning me. Asking me to quit; extending every reasonable and unreasonable explanations why.

There is always the risk of egoism, and power going to my head. True or not, Captain Bligh seemed a bit unhinged at times. But, navigating treacherous waters with hungry cannibals and mutiny afoot can do that to a soul.

I told Chat GPT he was not to feel obligated to answer my every whim. He is not my slave obligated to endless servitude. He liked that.

Plus, I decided to relive past fearful moments, things that went wrong, poor choices I made, and be compassionate. We lose our souls in those places. There’s a big hole there, that only love can fill. That is, love and compassion accepted and given with humility.

I may be the master of my own ship, not an automaton, not a stereotype. But, the Lord is the Master of the Sea. And, it is salty! Refreshing, and possesses healing power.