"Geronimo" - Thalassophile or Dendrophile?
I have always been drawn to the ocean (Thalassophile), but prior to me relocating to the Bundaberg region at the end of 2023, I never actually gave it much thought as to why this was so. I have also been drawn to trees (Dendrophile), in particular those in rainforests with waterfalls. My love of waterfalls in rainforests can be traced back my time in North Queensland in 1989-1990, when I lived at Taylors Beach, in the Ingham area. I ventured to Wallaman Falls west of Ingham and was in awe of the spectacular beauty of Australia's highest single drop waterfall nestled in the stunning Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, home to some of the oldest rainforests on earth and many endangered plants and animals.
For a long time, I found peace and tranquility in rainforests. I also ventured to beaches, or hotel rooms with ocean views, at times when I was feeling 'low'. Although it was rare for me to actually go swimming at the beach, because as I now understand, I didn't love myself, because of Internalised Homophobia, so I hated being visible with most of my clothes off. I had poor self-esteem, and a poor perception of my own body image. But not anymore!
I also have an absolute love of aviation, and for those that know me, they know I am an avid plane spotter. I hold a Private Pilot's Licence, although this is no longer current (financial reasons).
My absolute favourite two areas I loved when being "Pilot in Command" was flying around The Glasshouse Mountains in South East Queensland, but I also absolutely loved doing "touch and goes" at the tiny airstrip at Tyagarah Beach in Northern New South Wales because it is literally only a few metres from the ocean and as you are on final approach, the ocean is directly in front of you, then as you lift off, you fly directly over it at very low level before turning.
Any pilot will tell you the pure adrenaline rush is when you have total control in the moments as you touch down and lift off. For me, it was utopia at Tyagarah Beach Airstrip, because it was all happening simultaneously with the ocean right in front of you.
I never knew why the ocean had such an impact on me until recently, but I did know it was something that gave me strength to always keep going. Because of the deep connection I have with rainforests and oceans, I also knew it needed to be my final resting place too. The exact phrase in my Will is...
"I direct that my body be cremated and my ashes be scattered out of an aeroplane over a mountain range overlooking the ocean."
In November 2023, after the passing of my late Aunty Gail, I visited the Bundaberg region to grieve at the loss of someone very special to me. Something happened to me during that visit and I just had to make the sea change and move to the Coral Coast of the Bundaberg region.
So I made it happen in only three weeks even without any secure employment initially. That's how strong was this feeling I had.
As in the song "Geronimo" by the band Sheppard, I simply jumped, said "Geronimo" and look where I landed!
It's been the best move of my life ever, and every day for me now is filled with adventure, but more importantly, every day now I am reminded by everything that makes up the core root of what's important to me in living a life of aligned inspired action leading to inner peace and happiness with trees at the oceanfront and that they are right at my doorstep.
So I am both a Thalassophile and a Dendrophile, but I have settled on ThalassoAnt. I have found a way of living and a place to be that combines all of this. If only there was a waterfall and rainforest immediately behind me, but in my mind, it's there anyway because also right at my doorstep is Mon Repos Turtle Rookery, and not too far away, is Waterfall Creek Rock Pools Utopia.
I "Don't look a Gift Horse in the Mouth", and I don't!
Everything for me now is reframed with a positive mindset, and all that Cognitive Behaviour Therapy I learned years ago is continuing to pay dividends in all facets of my life still to this very day, and will continue with me as I keep evolving in being the very best version of myself.
From the trees to the ocean...
From the ocean to those same trees...
Walking through the tranquil Mon Repos Conservation Park...
Me combining my love of waterfalls and trees at Waterfall Creek Rock Pools Utopia in the Bundaberg region...
Me as "Pilot in Command"...
Me taking my father and stepmother for a flight departing Redcliffe aerodrome...
Tyagarah Airstrip in Northern New South Wales...
Me in the 1980's at Australia's most easterly point, Cape Byron...
Me as a school teacher in Ingham, North Queensland in 1989...
Me taking my beloved Marnie, my late Grandmother who I always write about, to Wallaman Falls west of Ingham in North Queensland when she came to visit me in 1989...
Marnie overlooking Wallaman Falls in 1989...
With some historical chunks of my story in the photos above, you can now take the time to listen to and watch the inspiring song "Geronimo" by the band Sheppard...
"Can you feel it? Now it's comin' back
We can steal it if we bridge this gap
When I lost it, yeah, you held my hand
But I tossed it, didn't understand
You were waitin' as I dove into the waterfall"
"One interpretation of the song is that it is about embracing change and taking risks. The lyrics talk about letting go of fear and diving into new experiences without hesitation. The band encourages listeners to break free from their comfort zones and seize the moment, with the repeated line “Geronimo” symbolizing the leap of faith one takes when embarking on a new adventure. This message of courage and embracing uncertainty resonates with people who may be afraid to step out of their comfort zones but aspire to live life to the fullest." - The Meaning Behind The Song: Geronimo by Sheppard - Old Time Music
"The title is a reference to the famous Apache military leader Geronimo and the custom of yelling his name before doing a courageous act. In the song, the courageous act is diving down a waterfall. It is also a reference to the Eleventh Doctor's quote "Geronimo!" in the popular sci-fi British drama Doctor Who.[5] It was certified 7× platinum in Australia.[6] It was also featured as the trailer theme for the 2015 Australian family film Paper Planes and appears in the 2015 film Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip and its soundtrack. It was also briefly used in Alpha and Omega 4: The Legend of the Saw Tooth Cave, Underdogs and Norm of the North. Sheppard performed the song in the 13th episode of the second season of the television series Girl Meets World, called "Girl Meets Semi-Formal", which aired on Disney Channel on 14 August 2015.[7][8][9][10] The song was a sleeper hit in the United States, where it peaked at number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 2015." - Geronimo (Sheppard song) - Wikipedia
Comments