A Journey of Joy, Fellowship, and Inspiration
by Angie Petrie
Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you granted yourself permission to step away from your everyday routine for an entire month?
This January, I took the leap, embarking on a transformative Caribbean cruise that became a profound journey of rest and reflection. While packing away Christmas often leaves me feeling depleted, I found myself returning in February with a renewed spirit and a fresh outlook on life.
For many of us, daily life is a web of responsibilities, deadlines, and obligations. The decision to spend a month at sea meant freeing myself from the endless cycle of emails, paperwork, chores, and errands.
Please don’t think I don’t enjoy my work. I truly love my role, meeting with clients and supervisees, exploring what they bring, discussing new trainings, and engaging with the many theories that underpin counselling. What I find challenging is the volume of paperwork. It occupies a significant part of my working day and often feels endless.
Onboard, my days became beautifully simple, there was no pressure to accomplish or achieve. Instead, each morning began with gentle choices: should I stroll along the deck, join a group, go to the gym (yes, there's a gym and yes, I did go) play some cards or set up my watercolours to paint as the waves tumbled below?
Sitting with a sketchbook, overlooking the vast horizon, I could let colours flow freely, inspired by the shifting blues, greens and silvers of ocean light. The absence of daily burdens allowed me to be fully present, to savour each moment, and to rediscover the joy in slowing down.
One of the greatest pleasures was joining fellow cruisers in creative workshops. We painted vibrant scenes on fabric bags, chatting about all manor of things as we worked with brushes and colours. These little treasures, decorated with Caribbean motifs and chickens (if you've ever seen my Facebook morning welcome video, you'll understand why I painted a chicken.
Some of these pieces became meaningful souvenirs, tangible reminders of the peace and playfulness I found in creating art by the sea. Several of my paintings found their way into other travellers’ books, as I enjoyed experimenting with small bookmark-sized artworks and gifting them along the way. Some carried words of encouragement, while others were left intentionally blank. Many featured scenes of sea and sand, or birds and flowers, often textured with a sprinkle of sea salt kindly provided by a waiter who gave me an entire pot to experiment with.
During my first creative painting class, I overheard another traveler mention that she had to leave early to attend choir practice. Since it was only our second day on the ship and I didn’t know my way around yet, I asked if I could join her. She warmly encouraged me to come along and mentioned that she had participated in the choir before. After I introduced myself, she shared her name, and I was surprised to discover that she had the same name as my choir director back home.
One of the unexpected highlights of my time away was joining the ship’s choir. Most days started with music—singing hymns and uplifting songs alongside a diverse and welcoming group of fellow travellers. There was no audition, no expectation of perfection, just a shared passion for song and connection. I made new friendships, also heard extraordinary life stories and even met someone who lives in the next village from me.
With songs that felt as though they had been picked for me, ‘A million dreams’ ‘Mary Poppins medley’ and 'dancing queen'. Then the joys of a concert together in the theatre standing on the stage with 170 strong choir, which took some organizing. Listening to lovely Libby who helped lead us as she cried at the way this choir had felt like family to her on the long sea days.
Beyond the choir, I was embraced by a fellowship of supportive Christians. We gathered for prayer, exchanged stories, sang and shared testimony and supported each other through both laughter and tears. This sense of belonging and spiritual encouragement was a true gift, reminding me of the resilience and warmth found in community. The incredible coincidence of some family connections and then meeting off the ship made this a deep feeling of belonging.
Every day at sea was a celebration of nature’s grandeur. I spent quiet hours watching the endless waves, their rhythms soothing and meditative. The sunrises painted the sky in hopeful hues, while sunsets dazzled in brilliant golds and reds, inviting reflection and gratitude. These moments became sacred—the horizon stretching far beyond, inspiring thoughts about life’s possibilities. With each passing day, I reaffirmed my sense of how vital it is to pause, to witness beauty, and to let the natural world awaken a sense of purpose within us.
No Caribbean cruise is complete without an adventure, and for me, swimming with stingrays was nothing short of extraordinary. Entering the crystalline waters, I felt a blend of excitement and awe. As these gentle creatures glided by, I was struck by their grace and serenity. The experience felt otherworldly, a reminder that there are wonders beyond our wildest dreams, waiting for us when we’re willing to embrace the unknown.
Now, as February unfolds, I return to my counselling practice with a heart overflowing with gratitude and a mind sharpened by new insights. This month at sea has taught me the immeasurable value of rest, the deep joy found in music, fellowship, and creativity, and the inspiration that nature and adventure can offer. I step back into daily life not just as a counsellor, but as someone transformed—ready to face challenges with renewed warmth, hope, and purpose.
I haven’t mentioned my cruising partner, my hubby and partner in laughter, joy and love. I will keep the precious memories of togetherness to myself as you and I know true love can not be explained in words its effanineffable (a word I stole from Cats the musical meaning there are no words to explain)