The silvery moon has shined and shown us the way, out into the big blue ocean, every night since our departure from Madeira. The phosphorescence algae draws the outline of our slightly swaying wake in the dark. Reminding us of the journey that lies ahead – and of our loved ones left behind.

Sailing at night sharpens our senses and brings us in contact with a deep feeling of being. It reminds us of both the fragility and the greatness of ourselves.  Being on the big blue ocean in a small sailing boat instinctively brings people together, especially at night.  We depend upon one another.

We are three days away from Madeira now and closing in on the point of no return. Even though we are well equipped on every safety parameter and will be in radio contact with shore and other ships at all times, we are still alone.  It might take up to two or three days for help to reach us out here, should something happen. All the fresh water of any interest in the world is on board our boat: separated carefully in five tanks. We have to be self-sufficient. And we are. It strengthens our feeling of self-efficacy – humbly recognizing that we are small in the middle of the big blue ocean and that we do not know what tomorrow brings.

Crossing the big blue ocean is not really about physical exhaustion. It is more about facing yourself and your fears – also in the mirror of others. It is about persistence and endurance. We have to keep on going and live our lives – also through the night.

And crossing the big blue ocean is more than anything an intense feeling of being alive: travelling slowly but persistently, up and down the long ocean waves; feeling the power of the wind; watching the flying fish escaping an unknown threat; seeing the swiftly playing dolphins, with their childish charm, inviting us to applaud to their skills and superiority in this element.  The many shooting stars - remind us of our even greater smallness and allow us to make a wish.

Crossing an ocean is about being present right now with all your feelings – good or bad.  It is also about being on our way to, and focusing on, a specific goal in our lives: about our souls reaching out, longing to be embraced and to come home.

The big orange sun rises and the night comes to an end.  Eos, the Goddess of dawn, rises from the ocean in a robe of saffron. Her wings bring the morning winds and the sun wipes away her dew fall tears. She is the mother of hope – Oceans of Hope.

The big blue is affectionately embraced by the big orange. The receptive and the giving elements meet – and it is going to be a good day.