You Won’t Miss the Boat
Hi everyone,
Well the New Year is underway, and I hope it’s off to a good start for you.
I was reading something the other day, and came across a little phrase that I really liked. I was reading a religious magazine, which I often do, to get back on track, or if I am stressed, tired, or feeling anxious, it reassures and relaxes me. Whatever works, for each of us. And that works for me. And as I was reading, a simple sentence jumped out at me right off the page. (The other phrase that jumped out at me and I loved was one that I firmly believe: “A good marriage is the union of two good forgivers”. I firmly believe that forgiveness is essential to any good relationship, whether romantic, familial, or even business, or between 2 friends. Forgiveness is essential).
I don’t know about you, but I question myself a lot, second guess myself at times, I lie in bed at night sometimes and rehash the day, trying to figure out what I did right or wrong. Did I give someone a chance, did I cut them off, did I listen to them thoroughly, was I too opinionated or closed-minded to hear them? Was I fair? Was my decision right? And in relationships, the age old question has haunted me, did I stay too long, did I give it a fair shot, should I have stayed longer, or given up a lot sooner? And probably like a lot of people, I beat myself up, thinking that if I had done things differently, the results might have been better. Did I miss the chance of a lifetime—did I miss the boat??? (Or did I escape a cruise on the Titanic?).
The little phrase I read answered my question. I felt a wave of relief sweep over me, as I read the simple sentence “No one will be allowed to miss the boat”. It was an article that said you can’t be left out, you can’t be deprived of the good life has in store for you, you’re not going to miss your Big Chance. Wow!!! What a fantastically reassuring thought. All the scrambling and thinking I’ve done, the worrying, the planning, the rushing into something so as not to miss a great opportunity, and then there it is “No one will be allowed to miss the boat.” Wow! Wow! Wow!!! I love that…..so I didn’t miss the boat and you didn’t either. The right boat is still sitting there at the dock, waiting for us, whether that is a work opportunity, a relationship, or a person, or even a talent we have that we haven’t developed yet, but would like to do something with. “No one will be allowed to miss the boat”. The ship won’t sail without us. The ones that did weren’t on my itinerary and weren’t meant for me. I find it incredibly reassuring to see that, and believe it. So pack your bags and get ready. YOUR ship is waiting for you, and mine is waiting for me…..and it won’t leave without us. What a great way to start the New Year, knowing that we will be in the right place, at the right time, just when it counts. I hope hearing that makes you feel as good as it made me feel. Our ship is waiting for us——and hopefully we’ll catch that ship, whatever it is for you, this year!!!
Love, Danielle
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Dear Danielle,
It was such a joy to read your blog about the New Year and not missing the boat…..it is simple and leaves a deep impression!
Thank you for sharing that. I read a lot also and more and more spiritual things help calm my busy mind!
I also still as always read and enjoy your books. I love them and the webs that you weave intrigue me and sometimes I think I feel some things that have happened in your life.
I would love to see you and catch up on so many aspects of our lives! I know that Vanessa was married to Max Snow as Elizabeth sent me the photos. Wow, the dress was stunning on her and your home looked gorgeous as did you! You really do look fabulous as the years pass you stay as beautiful as ever.
I have to say I heard you on The View on the topic of marriage and I loved what you said after the joke, to forgive and to be kind both to your self and your love! It is so true!
I have gone through yet one more marriage and divorce, making it 3 and I just think I have not known how to pick a man or love properly! It is torture!
Anyway, I have moved back from Mexico and sold all of my homes and now I am in Marin renting. I would love to see you! Maybe we could meet at Rose’s Cafe on Union where I saw you last time? Let me know what you think!? My phone numbers are as follows: home 415.404.6595 and cell is 415.861.9516.
Also please accept my sympathy on the death of John last year. I heard about it from Bart, who I believe attended the service!
So, my dear I hope that the boat has not sailed on our friendship !?
Fond regards,
Diane Goldie
Dear Danielle,
I had no idea that you had such a passion for fashion as have I and finally having my boutique in San Miguel de Allende, GTO Mexico realized the opportunity to design!
It was reviewed and written up in Travel and Leisure. It was lovely and so much fun! The elegant photos of you in your home are exquisite.
Kind regards,
diane goldie
What a thot provoking blog.
I went to bed last nite thinking my boat was a dinghy!!!I was half mad!!! This morning I woke still thinking about your blog–I’m to old to wait for another boat (if there would be one??).
Than I began to think of all the blessings in my life—The USS Reagan has passed so often and I never even noticed!!!
Wow! It seems we are all off to a good start…i tend to be alot like you (well, at least in as far as beating myself up over stuff is concerned) But on 31st, i was in a Mall and i read something that really reassured me ‘forget the things of the past, behold am doing something new’ awwww, it felt so good to know that the best is yet to come!
Lots of love from me, J
Hi,
I quit beating myself up about relationships a long time ago, I just try to do right by everyone, I don’t mean loose myself to please others but just treat them as I would want to be treated. Some relationship no matter what we do are just doomed from the start and have nothing to do with who you are.
I am on a “boat” right now that I wish I never boarded, its been a long difficult journey…rough seas,sinking ships,the tsunami of my life! I hope your right and at the end of this chapter there is a better ship to board and a beautiful place to go.
Dear Danielle,
I have been reading your books as long as I can remember, I am currently 38. My mother started sharing her collection of your books with me when i was an earky teen and it sorta of became an unspoken bond between us. I feel you have without knowing it created an bond that we still share to this day and I am pretty sure we will always share. I happily received my only request for a Christmas present this year which was a Nook. The first words I said (after saying thank you and I love you of course) were which Danielle Steel books do you have??? In honor of this beautiful bond you have helped preserve I felt honored to make my first purchase your book His Bright Light. I am speechless on how beautiful this book was.
Thank you so much for the wonderful books you have written over the years and the special memories they have helped create.
Love,
Heather Seifert
Hi Danielle ~ Thank You for these wonderful, inspiring blogs! My husband and late life love passed over last year from Parkinson’s and we’d been full-time RV’ers for 6 years! Now on my own and living in my motor home (with 2 wonderful grown daughters keeping in touch – one in Pennsylvania and one in Grenoble FRANCE!! (She’s really getting bilingual :)) I find myself alone but not. Your books helped me move through so much. Now I want to write and maybe produce my own novel or memoir one day. I’m 64 years young so anything is possible! And I’m still traveling and living in our ‘home-on-wheels’ only now I have a precious new companion – a little Maltese named Sandyl Rose who I love dearly. Thank you for so many wonderful stories that have helped me keep dreaming. I have one question: Do you compose stories mostly on the computer or do you hand write most of them and then transfer them? Blessings, Love Randyl Johnson in Virginia
Danielle,
I stop by on here from time to time and this blog entry is by far the best I’ve read. It is indeed a great message to bring in the new year. I’m a grad student studying nuclear weapons and war, of all things, and dream of having the courage to really speak my mind about these awful practices and technologies. I know there’s a boat waiting for me, but I’m having a hard time getting on it! I now can remind myself: it can’t sail without me!
Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece of wisdom 🙂
Dear Danielle,
I stop by on here from time to time and this blog entry is by far the best I’ve read. It is indeed a great message to bring in the new year. I’m a grad student studying nuclear weapons and war, of all things, and dream of having the courage to really speak my mind about these awful practices and technologies. I know there’s a boat waiting for me, but I’m having a hard time getting on it! I now can remind myself: it can’t sail without me!
Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece of wisdom. 🙂
Hi Danielle – I don’t know what to think – that’s Fantastic – what a great Feeling!!!What a great Plan!!! God has a Plan for all of us – we just have to let him control things and do his Will & it will all work out. God Bless – Mike
Beautiful, I am not sorry i didn’t read this earlier. No I am not! Cause this was suppose to reassure and comfort me at this exact time when I am falling apart and cant seem to find my balance yet everyday I act as if I am so whole. But now I am convinced that the boat wouldn’t leave without me.
love n blessings,
Shelly