“What do horse saddle pads have to do with boats, and private yacht charters, and the ocean?”
We love our work and are passionate about sharing The Superyacht Experience™ with our clients and friends. In addition, we love spending time away from the water. For example, on a ranch with horses, pastures, and clean, country air.
Last week, I noticed a stack of old saddle pads in the barn. They are still usable. Specifically, soft and thick, but starting to fray a bit.
We came up with an idea. In specific, a way to recycle the pads and put them to good use. Extend their lives.
So, we put washed the pads, tossed them into a couple of reusable, eco-friendly 1-800 Yacht Charter “Eco-tote” bags, and took them to our local animal rescue shelter, PAWS4YOU. It turns out, saddle pads make perfect beds for dogs!
The pads are mostly rectangular in shape, and filled with soft, cushiony fabric. The same thick fabric designed to protect a horse from the impact of a rider and saddle when riding makes a nice “bed” for a small to medium-sized dog.
Actual dog beds that you buy at a pet store are expensive and beyond the budget of most pet rescue organizations. It sure felt good when “Bernard” a rescued beagle available for adoption at PAWS4YOU came out to accept our donated saddle pads. We also had the extra satisfaction of knowing we made a difference on November 13th, World Kindness Day!!!
Our hats are forever tipped to the many volunteers at PAWS4YOU, and all they do to help shelter and adopt homeless and abused pets in Miami, Florida.
So, the next time you find old towels, blankets, (or, if you ride horses, a saddle pad or three) in your house (or barn), don’t throw them away. Wash them and find a local animal shelter in your community. Make a difference and donate them to help the animals! #horse #saddlepads #animalrescue
This entry was posted in News Frequently Asked Questions Educational and tagged Reuse, Make A Difference, how to help animals, random acts of kindness, how to help animal rescue, saddle pads, animal rescue, what do animal rescues need, diy, RAK, WKD, share with animals, sustainability, Paws 4 You, animal shelter, Paws4You, blankets, donate, barn, World Kindness Day, special events, how to give back, eco-totes, Charity, nonprofit, Horses, what to do with saddle pads
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I stumbled across a wonderful blog the other day. I wanted to share it with the SailAway Yacht Charter and 1-800 Yacht Charters readers. It’s so important to focus on gratitude in our lives. Even when aboard a magnificent superyacht for the vacation of a lifetime. It is important to remain grounded (no pun intended) and to be grateful for our privileges. Remember to practice Random Acts of Kindness daily, also.
–Jana Sheeder, President, SailAway Yacht Charter Consultants and 1-800 Yacht Charters
Credit to Monique Minahan (intentblog.com/author/moniqueminahan/) for the special blog that makes us all think. In addition, it reminds us to be grateful.
<< In this busy world that we live in, I think it is very important for our body AND mind, that we practice skills such as Yoga. We need time to decompress, relax and unwind, and for the most part, people would agree that Yoga can do this. When we are able to relax our body, even though it is still working to get into specific poses, it is a great time for us to stop and think of the many things that we are grateful for. Sometimes it is a person, sometimes it is an object that helps us, sometimes it is an emotion that we feel….and the list goes on and on! I think that moving our bodies in different ways, is beneficial to our health, and also taking time to stop and think about all of the things we should be grateful for, by either writing them down, or verbally acknowledging our appreciation, will help us lead more valuable lives. Who knew how powerful two little words could be….”THANK” and “YOU”
Our yoga practice is a multifaceted gem. It’s like a prism that reflects a different color depending on how the light hits it. Our practice can reflect back to us different emotions, feelings, or thoughts depending on how we approach it.
Yoga can draw out parts of ourselves we know exist but have difficulty accessing at times, such as strength, flexibility, balance, trust, love, and gratitude.
These are often physical traits we tap into on our yoga mat. Interestingly, we often find after practicing that we have access to them on a mental and emotional level as well. >>
<< I first noticed this transformative quality of yoga while practicing backbends. The steadiness and strength they require revealed to me the power and the past housed in my back body. The more I allowed this opening process physically, the more I was able to allow myself to open more fully to the people in my life. Seeing this natural evolution, I started adding intention to the mix.
I often bring to my backbend practice people or situations I’m having difficulty “loving.” I visualize them through my practice and try to allow myself to soften and open to them mentally as I soften and open physically.
I’ve been able to transform how I relate to many challenging relationships in this way. >>
<< Gratitude is a powerful quality we can develop deeply through yoga. This is especially helpful when we experience times in our lives where we don’t feel so grateful. Maybe our lives or loves just fell apart and we don’t feel grateful for anything.
This is when our yoga practice can help.
Great gratitude comes ultimately from a place of great humility. Replacing expectation with awe, we see the world through childlike eyes. Everything is a gift, everything is alive, everything is thrilling.
We let the quality of life fill us up instead of the quantity. >>
<< In yoga poses it’s easy to forget the quality aspect sometimes also. The quality of our breath, the quality of our skin, the quality of our heartbeat.
In poses that require strength, when we simultaneously relax our hearts, minds, and bodies into the muscles that are holding us up, it feels vulnerable. It also feels liberating, delicious, and open.
We now have a fertile space for true gratitude. Gratitude for our bodies, for our minds, for our lives, for the floor that supports us and the air that inspires us.
In that space we can plant seeds of gratitude, love, trust – whatever we need in our lives. We can notice where we are taking things for granted and we can connect with the whole part of ourselves that allows us to give freely. >>
Developing a quality of gratitude can infuse our lives with deep peace and joy. I like making gratitude lists, especially on occasions like birthdays. Try it on your next birthday. Make a list of the 20 or 35 or 45 things you’re grateful for.
Dig deep for gratitude and you will often find gold. It’s always right in front of us, but we can’t always see it through the dust of daily life that makes it look ordinary and unimportant.
I leave you with this gratitude poem and a sweet gratitude practice by Jeanie Manchester >>
I am grateful for my limits
that teach me patience and pace
I am grateful for challenge, defeat, and loss
They teach me hope is not a light at the end of the dark tunnel
It’s the ember burning within me that I forgot to fan
I am grateful to my teachers
for introducing me to myself
I am grateful for my past
that has delivered me to my present
I am grateful for all I have found and all I have lost
Both remind me I can live with and without
I am grateful for silence and for laughter
And for my ears that can hear both
I am grateful to my heart
that beats and breaks and heals
I am grateful for the fullness of my life
For the brief, heartbreaking, heartwarming fullness of life.
I highly recommend Jeanie Manchester’s Gratitude Flow as a practice for cultivating gratitude. Enjoy! >>
Monique Minahan is a writer, yogi, and lover of life. She’s inspired by nature’s simplicity and the healing power of love. She finds true liberation in living life fully from the inside out. Her intention is to offer her heart to the world through words that motivate, inspire, and encourage. You can visit her at her blog, mindfulmo.com >>
This entry was posted in Good Times Educational and tagged intention, body and mind, SailAway Yacht Charter Consultants, Jeanie Manchester, Gratitude, Gratitude Poem, Jana Sheeder, random acts of kindness, president of 1-800 Yacht Charters, yoga, powerful words, Monique Minahan
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What kind of random acts of kindness can be done while you are on your private luxury yacht charter?
Going ashore?
When you rent a private yacht, don’t forget to practice Random Acts of Kindness on your trip and Pay It Forward. Your trip will be so much more rewarding for you and for others!
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What is your favorite Random Act of Kindness to perform while on a yacht charter or traveling in another land? Contact us HERE and let us know!
This entry was posted in News and tagged random acts of kindness, Operation Beautiful, Letter to Santa
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The National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America has released a disturbing study detailing the threat of plastic pollution in the ocean, and its impact on seabirds. Plastic trash is found in 90 percent of seabirds. The rate is growing steadily as global production of plastics increases.
According to the Academy, the “Threat of plastic pollution to seabirds is global, pervasive, and increasing.”
The areas of impact facing the greatest threats are the southern boundary of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans.
Plastic found inside birds includes bottle caps, plastic shopping bags, and tiny pieces the size of rice that have been broken down by the sun and waves.
After reading the study’s abstract, Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters commented on the health impact facing the seabirds. “Living along the coast of South Florida, I have seen the small plastic pieces of plastic that wash up into our mangroves and our shoreline,” says Sheeder. “The wildlife rescue groups that we support tell us sharp-edged plastic pieces can kills birds by punching holes in their internal organs. Some seabirds eat so much plastic, there is little room in their stomachs for food. Lack of food affects their body weight and jeopardizes their health.”
Sheeder echoes the concerns of scientists and environmentalists: “At current levels, virtually every seabird will be consuming plastic by 2050. If we don’t address this issue, we are looking at a major contributing factor to the possible extinction of many seabird species. We can’t let that happen.”
Sheeder feels her yachting industry can do more in terms of effective waste management to reduce the threat. “Almost all of the yachts we represent for private yacht charter vacations have the onboard capability to generate fresh drinking water. Now, when our clients request plastic bottled water to be placed onboard prior to their charter, we encourage them to forgo plastic and drink the yacht’s purified water.”
In lieu of plastic water bottles, Sheeder even offers her clients complimentary reusable beverage containers.
Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters, cleaning plastic and debris from coastline near her home in South Florida
Sheeder is confident the tide can be turned. “The report by the National Academy of Sciences paints a grim future. Consequently, it also points out that effective waste management can reduce the threat. Protecting our future means preserving the marine environment and promoting responsibility onboard our yachts, in the seas, and along our shores.”
Sheeder further comments, “Everyone can do something. Even just one thing every day. It’s not hard to take that extra moment to help another. Many prefer to stick their heads in the sand rather than being role models and making a difference.”
She encourages others to be the change and leave all areas better than you found them. Additionally, pick up trash. Properly dispose of your own trash. Moreover, give back to the environment, to animals, and to others. Subsequently, practice random acts of kindness (RAK’s) to people, animals, your community, and the environment. Finally, show your #Gratitude for the beauty of the wildlife and joy that they give you by protecting them. Use reusable totebags (versus plastic shopping bags) and be a 1-800 Yacht Charters Eco Hero!
Calling all eco heroes! Comment on this post and include your email address. Expect contact from us. We immediately send your own customized totebag. Be an #eco-hero with us!
This entry was posted in Frequently Asked Questions Educational Yacht Charter News and tagged wildlife, yacht charter, protect the environment, protect marine life, Gratitude, random acts of kindness, Charity, beach cleanups, Be the Change, Destinations, president of 1-800 Yacht Charters, Conservation Efforts, Jana Sheeder, Make A Difference, eco-friendly, 1800yachtcharters, Giftivism and Generosity
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Superyacht SEAWOLF delivers aid to help others
People think owners of multi-million dollar luxury yacht charter vessels are selfish and self-absorbed. This incredible story will surprise you.
Presenting SEAWOLF. She is one of the largest yachts in charter. The nearly 200ft motor yacht just delivered humanitarian aid in Panama. This validates the trend of luxury yacht owners getting involved with global aid efforts.
The 193 foot luxury mega yacht charter motor yacht SEAWOLF is the second of two large, high-profile superyachts bringing aid to the Islas Secas area of Panama. An expedition yacht charter vessel, M/Y SEAWOLF delivered supplies for underprivileged residents at Islas Secas on March 4, just two weeks after motor yacht LADY LOLA delivered aid to the same location in mid February.
The 62 meter Oceanco yacht LADY LOLA, well-known throughout the Caribbean yacht charter marketplace, was first to deliver school aid from Panama City to the Islas Secas area of western Panama in the Gulfo Chiriqui.
We would like to extend a hearty thank you to the captains, crews and owners of both yachts for acting as a catalyst to inspire others to do good things.
Perhaps such altruistic actions will help change the perception of the superyacht industry.
Pay it Forward with Random Acts of Kindness, Captain’s orders…
Motor yacht SEAWOLF accommodates up to 12 guests in 6 staterooms and rents for USD $180,000 per week.
Motor yacht LADY LOLA sleeps 10 guests and is available for charter at a weekly rate of Euro €290,000. All running expenses, items such as food, fuel, bar and dockage, are extra.
This entry was posted in Yacht Charter News Special Events Educational and tagged yachts deliver goods to needy, Seawolf, Lady Lola, Panama yacht charter, motoryacht charter, Islas Secas, random acts of kindness, pay it forward, superyacht owners, yachts providing aid, yachts deliver help
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Please be an eco-hero and remove trash from our waterways
This is a photo from the beautiful Yachts Miami Beach Boat Show. Our inspections included several private luxury yacht charter vessels docked at the Deep Harbour Island Gardens marina, near downtown Miami, Florida. As we walked along the docks, I noticed our company President, Jana Sheeder, often pausing, bending down, picking up something, and putting it in her “Eco-Hero” tote bag. I asked Jana what she was picking up, and she paused and poured a few of the contents of her bag onto a locker box on the dock.
“Take a look,” she sighed. “This debris can easily end up in the water where it becomes part of the ocean pollution problem, as well as a threat to birds and marine life.”
So, I snapped the photo you see here.
When I look at this photo, I see beautiful superyachts that serve as a gateway to experience the wonders of our oceans. I see a segment of the tourism industry – private luxury yacht charter – that generates millions of dollars of revenue annually. I see a support network of thousands of crewmembers, dockhands, marina workers, and maintenance and repair staff. They all support their families from a livelihood that is inextricably dependent upon healthy oceans.
For me, the trash in the photo is a harsh reminder that the refuse we see floating in marinas and along the seawalls and walkways is a direct threat to the health of our waterways. It is also, therefore, a threat to our own livelihood.
As you read this blog, I can guess what some of you are thinking. “I’m not part of the problem – I would never throw trash in the water.” Good intention, but you or someone you know might still be directly responsible for pollution in our waterways.
It’s a common misconception that most trash comes from people throwing things directly into the water.
“Believe it or not, much to the trash in our waterways comes from litter thrown out of cars, litter that blows from surrounding areas into the waterways, illegal dumping, and this item really irks me – cigarettes left on the ground,” says Jana. “During a big rainstorm, all that junk ends up in the watershed, and some of it eventually makes its way down to the bays, harbors, marinas, beaches, and worse – onto our fragile coral reefs and into the stomachs of marine life (like fish and turtles) and shorebirds.”
Efforts are underway to rid our waterways of trash. In Baltimore, Maryland, two (rather cute) trash wheels are pulling debris from the harbor before it flows into Chesapeake Bay. “Mr. Trash Wheel” (male) and “Professor Trash Wheel” (female with eyelashes) are solar and hydro-powered trash interceptors in place in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Over a million pounds of trash has been pulled out of the water by Mr. Trash Wheel since it was installed in May 2014 (Professor Trash Wheel was installed in December 2016).
John Kellett (a true ECO-HERO!) invented the trash wheels and tracks the debris collected. Since May 2014, when Mr Trash Wheel went operational, almost nine million cigarette butts and over 300,000 plastic bags have been collected. Additionally, Mr. Trash Wheel picks up an average of 14,000 Styrofoam containers a month – second only to cigarettes.
Kellett echoes Jana’s thoughts that the problem starts on shore. “I thought we were being ambitious with the harbor, but now people are talking about cleaning up the ocean,” Kellett said. “But I think the most effective solution is to get the trash before it gets there.”
No matter where you live, you CAN make a difference and help protect our natural resources. Let’s review some simple steps we can all take:
What do I hope will happen? I look forward to the day that Mr. Trash Wheel and Professor Trash Wheel are forced to take days off because there is no debris for them to clean up!
Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters and 1-800 BAREBOAT, with Eco-Hero Reusable Tote Bag
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If you are ready to make a difference, text HERO to 305-720-7245 and we’ll send you an “Eco-Hero” tote bag – just like the ones Jana carries with her and also uses at boat shows. It’s Jana’s gift to you – from Jana and our team at 1-800 Yacht Charters!
This entry was posted in News Educational and tagged free gift, eco-tote, styrofoam, karma, RAK, cigarette butts, Yacht Shows, good karma, Yachts Miami Beach Show, fishing line, ocean plastic, hydro-powered, Make A Difference, eco-totes, Baltimore, random acts of kindness, tourism, Maryland, Be the Change, trash in marinas, say no to plastic bags, solar, responsibility, feel the churn, eco-hero, be a role model, Mr. Trash Wheel, myth busting, John Kellett, Professor Trash Wheel, protect the ocean, female trash wheel
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