“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly, and without fear for newer

and richer experience.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

In my last post of January 17, 2026, I mused briefly about imaginary lines. We had recently crossed the equator, and I noted how unceremoniously the event was. Simply, quietly, in harmony with the sound of sea spray as the ship continued slicing forward.

Since that post, I’ve continued to ruminate about imaginary lines, and boundaries. Much like the invisible threads that we trail along with us through life, though we don’t see them, boundaries and imaginary lines are part of our life as well. Unless someone in the spirit of kindness and compassion imparts the knowledge about boundaries and imaginary lines, teaching us to negotiate what we cannot see, how do we know?

Here are examples of where imaginary lines play a part in daily living: personal space, mental health, time zone, city limit, county line, state line, country border. Hopefully as a young child we begin to learn about how to be respectful, thoughtful, and yet curious without invading someone else’s imaginary line. As we grow older, life provides opportunity where we learn to navigate the emotional element that an imaginary boundary holds.

For example, in recent days, while enjoying Polynesian cultures, I’m also emotionally navigating the passing of a beloved family member. Here is an invisible, imaginary line that holds an immense emotional impact! I believe in a life beyond the life I live now. I believe that on the other side of this invisible boundary, is The Love Source; a God of abundance who has created all manner of the beauty and goodness that I see, taste, and experience. Because someday I will cross this imaginary line too, I am compelled “to reach out eagerly” in the present, embracing what I see and experience. Not in greed, but with love, compassion, and generous respect for the unseen humanity around me, weaving together invisible threads, including grief, heartache, joy and small moments of kindness.

THREE VISTAS

Cruising a lagoon in Bora, Bora, Crowing about Tahiti, Looking skyward in Rarotonga.

TWO THOUGHTFUL THREADS

• Our mindset influences our behavior. For example: people create invisible boundaries about who belongs where. This mindset creates an attitude which feeds the behavior of dismissing others for how they might dress, or look, or walk across the street. In the same way, being genuine, caring authentically, speaking with a respective tone requires a growth mindset, open to the possibilities of becoming the best of humanity.
• One of the unexpected joys of being an author of children’s books, is meeting other authors. I believe we have a shared gratitude, and hope that by creating beautiful books, we will raise the next generation to be kinder, wiser, and open to a world that only they can imagine and create.

ONE HISTORICAL NUGGET

The International Date Line (IDL) is an imaginary line that runs from the North to the South Pole on the 180 degree meridian. It is half way around the world from the prime meridian (0 degree longitude) which is the reference point of all time zones. The IDL, which is a circuitous imaginary line, marks the Western Hemisphere from the Eastern Hemisphere. The decision to designate the 180 degree meridian as the International Date Line, was made at the International Meridian Conference, which was held in Washington D.C. in 1884.

On a personal note: in crossing the IDL at 11:59 PM, January 23, 2026, we effectively sailed from Friday night into Sunday morning, January 25, 2026. Weirdly, I felt as though I ‘d entered a time warp, in which 24 hours disappeared from my life. An invisible loose thread!