Ahoy, mate! I see your ship has just arrived. I understand
it was a rough ride on the SEA. Isn’t it great to have
your feet planted on firm, solid ground once again? Actually,
your feet were always planted firmly. You just forgot that
while you were taking that SEA voyage.
Now that you’re back on shore, I hope that you will do
some exploring. Lessons are over and all you have to do is
wait for SEA results. You’re certainly not going to twiddle
your thumbs during that time.
Chart a new course for your life. Look in the mirror and see
yourself smile at nothing in particular—just the idea
that you are a beautiful person with interests and hobbies
that have not been tapped to their fullest potential.
I’ll let you in on a little secret. There’s far
too much fuss about the SEA. Too many people look at it as
this vast place to conquer. Some misinformed people will even
tell you that if you don’t sail smoothly through the
SEA you’ll find yourself lost in that infamous Bermuda
Triangle which is part of the Sargasso Sea. They’ll tell
you that failing to chart a brilliant course will mean that
your life is doomed.
It’s not true. You’re going to find your way regardless
of the SEA. The point is you’ve made it home. You’ve
made it back to shore. I know you’ve been busy deciphering
directions and doing all of those mathematical calculations
that were necessary on the SEA, but your position on land
has its own challenges.
The reality is that there are many different directions you
can go and they’re not all related to the SEA. You don’t
have to follow a map. You can steer a course that no one else
understands but you—just as long as your course makes
sense to you.
Many of your skills were not identified or even measured on
the SEA. Still, you know those skills are important. You know
it’s important to nurture your soul. You felt that in
the pit of your stomach when you were told you had to go to
SEA. You knew that the SEA could be a very boring place without
some well placed, structured activities. You knew that a person
could feel awfully lonely on that SEA.
I’m sure you made some promises to yourself on that long,
turbulent journey. I bet you said to yourself: if I can get
through this SEA and find my way back home I’m going
to dance or play cricket. I’m going to spend some time
at the beach or take a trip to the Caroni Swamp to see the
ibis come home for the night. I’m going to watch a good
movie or just kick a football around. I’m going to play
more with my dog or learn karate. I’m even going to read
a book that’s not related to school.
Some time soon you’ll have to put your trip on the SEA
in its proper perspective. You’ll realise that the SEA
was a breeze for some people. They will make it back to shore
and boast about everything they did on the SEA. They’ll
navigate themselves around any obstacles, get good jobs and
play the game of life perfectly, but they won’t necessarily
be happy or fulfilled because they didn’t take the time
to understand what their trips were all about.
Others never seem to find their way after going to SEA. They
become angry, destructive pirates who don’t know what
to do but steal and plunder. They’ll steal everything
in sight—even calypsonians’ music!
I hope you realise that your voyage was different from everyone
else’s journey. You might not have had the exciting journey
that everyone around you boasts about, but you know that there
were moments when you stood on the deck of your own ship and
saw the sun rise.
There was no one with your to share that experience which
convinced you that maybe there is something more to this journey
of life than you were told. Maybe there’s something more
meaningful than winning the race.
I’m sure you have more questions than answers right now
about which direction your life should go. I’m equally
sure that you’ll find those answers. It will take a lot
of soul searching and a final realisation that you are a valuable
person with or without the SEA.
Soon enough, your ship will be launched once again. This time
they’re going to christen it the CXC. A bell will ring
and everyone will tell you it’s time to prepare for another
gruelling voyage. Listen well. Good, solid preparation for
any trip is a must. Work steady and when that time comes to
take another voyage be ready.
Go bravely on this next part of your journey. Discover your
treasures. Smile and be happy. Know that life is always full
of challenges and adventures like none you’ve had so
far.
Be confident and think about what contribution you can make
to this world. Make sure you life has a purpose. Make your
life a meaningful one that reflects the gifts that you have
gathered and stored in that treasure chest that is you.
