A feathered friend joined us as I started my first watch. My watch is the time when I take over Speakeasy's Captain's chair and the big steering wheel. On watch, it's my job to keep the catamaran on course and away from any hazards, while Mark goes below to get some rest.

Within minutes of sitting in the Captain's seat, I noticed a black and white sea bird sitting comfortably on the port, or left, side of the boat. He'd chosen a comfy spot on a plump bumper, the cushion which absorbs the shock between the boat and the dock in a marina.

Looking beyond the bird, my eye caught an object in the water. Panic! I flew around the upper deck, and I stuck my head down below to yell, "Mark!!! Mark!!! Mark!!!" On both sides of the boat, I saw floating fishing lines and floating milk jugs - and a panga fish boat nearby. Una problema!!! The floating lines could catch underneath the boat and in our propellor! Sure enough, by the time Mark came up, we had caught a bright yellow line under the boat. We put the boat into neutral, and Mark used the boat hook to wrangle the line loose from under both hulls of the boat. Phew! That wasn't so bad. The activity onboard disturbed our bird passenger though. He flew away. However, after a few circle flights around the boat, he resettled right back into the same spot.

Mark descended below for less than five minutes when the same scenario repeated itself, and then again ten minutes later. With increasing ease, calm and deliberate action, I found each set of floating lines easier to manage. Mark and the bird did too!

When I finally settled into the Captain's chair, I noticed that our bird was relaxing and getting more comfortable onboard. He fluffed his feathers a bit, and then took a great big poop. Yuck! Then, after more fluffing, he started grooming by cranking his neck this way and that to get his beak between layers of down and feathers. After a thorough grooming, he settled in to his chosen spot, cast his eyes out on the horizon and took in the beautiful sea view.

I pondered the fact that the bird's behavior was not so different than my own. Like our run in with the floating fishing lines, I often encounter a new situation or place, get uncomfortable and want to leave, only to circle around and return again. And then there's the settling in process - gaining ease and comfort, becoming relaxed and fully placed, and then looking out and beyond to enjoy the view.

Our feathered friend stayed with us for a better part of an hour and then confidently flew away, wings wide and outstretched. Mark and I, however, don't plan to leave Speakeasy for a year or more. The locations and scenarios will change, and there will be times of discomfort, settling in and ease. In the midst of it all, it's critical to look out, take a breath or two, and delight in the view.