Bald Head Island is a gem; I almost hesitate to write about it because bringing too much attention to this hidden oasis might ruin the charm of this exclusive little getaway off the coast of Wilmington, NC. Adi and I returned to Bald Head for the second straight year to lead a yoga and meditation retreat for Lighthouse Film Company that is based in Wilmington and is owned by our friends, Brad and Andrea Walker.
Brad and Andrea are truly exceptional people—they care. They care about each other, they care about their family, and they care about the people who work with and for them. I greatly admire this quality in them.
And because they care, each year they organize a four-day retreat on Bald Head Island to provide their employees with an opportunity to take care of their physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being and they enlist Adi and me to help. For four days we teach yoga, meditation, sound therapy, and the philosophy of “yes, and” to cultivate fertile ground for innovative brainstorming sessions to set the stage for future projects. In essence, we do a deep dive into being more mindful with our time, intentions, desires, wants, and needs…and…we get to do it on one of the coolest islands that very few people know about.
Last year, when we arrived on Bald Head island, it was a total surprise since neither Adi nor I had ever been there before. I love traveling this way, with no expectation for what is to come and allowing the Universe to pleasantly surprise us. For me, the excitement comes in the “not knowing.” Sometimes letting go is far more powerful than trying to control life and I have discovered it has served us well to do so. The more we let go, the more we co-create with the Universe, and subsequently the more magic that unfolds before our very eyes. We just have to let go…
On our first visit to Bald Head, Adi and I were instantly captivated by this secluded natural beauty with its sandy beaches, tranquil marshes, and lush forests. The island is accessible only by ferry or private boat, which only adds to its remote and exclusive nature. If feels as if you are being admitted to a private club the second you step off the ferry. Once on the island, the only available transportation is by golf cart—no cars, no trucks (unless it’s a service vehicle) creating a serene and placid getaway that’s almost totally devoid of noise pollution.
I couldn’t help but feeling like a kid when we hopped in a golf cart and zipped through the paved roads that cut through the island. This completely appealed to our adventurous side. We both felt free and alive driving with the wind blowing through our hair. Adi and I love to get out and go for drives and golf carts couldn’t have been more up our alley. Last year, the golf carts were the pleasant surprise that we looked forward to this year.
This time around, we knew what to expect and were excited to come back as seasoned “islanders.” The moment we arrived it felt as if we had stepped off the grid and were back at our home away from home. Although there is plenty of infrastructure in place to provide a completely comfortable stay, the hustle and bustle of daily life instantly takes a backseat to reconnecting with nature and to ourselves. The only thing we could really do was…slow down. There was nothing to rush to and this is what makes Bald Head Island so special—there is nowhere to go. Time doesn’t exist. We are just let to be.
Bald Head Island, an Oasis of History
Bald head Island has a rich history that dates back to the colonial era. It was used as a lookout point by Native American tribes and later by the Spanish explorers. During the Revolutionary War, the island was used as a base for privateers to attack British ships and later was home to a lighthouse that was built in 1817 and played an important role in guiding ships through the treacherous waters of Cape Fear.
Last year, Adi and I never found time to get to the top of “Old Baldy”, as the locals call it. Old Baldy is the iconic lighthouse on Bald Head and has stood tall for more than 200 years. It was constructed in 1817 and is the oldest standing lighthouse in North Carolina. It stands 110 feet tall and has a spiral staircase leading to the top. Visitors can climb to the top and enjoy breathtaking views of the island leading out to the Atlantic Ocean and once at the top no more than 8-12 persons can occupy the perch. This makes for some very intimate conversation.
Since we were doing a retreat for “Lighthouse” Films it seemed obvious for the entire group of us (we had 12 people attending) to make an excursion to the oldest lighthouse in the state. We arrived as group, bought tickets, and set out for the top. We were on a mission to “be the light…(house). As we traversed the spiral staircase to get to the top of Old Baldy, I was pleasantly surprised to discover there were 108 steps leading to the top. 108 is a magical number (read more here).
In yogic parlance, the number 108 is considered sacred and significant. It is believed to represent the Universe’s wholeness and completeness, with 1 representing the Divine or Higher Consciousness, 0 representing emptiness or completeness in spiritual practice, and 8 representing infinity or eternity. The number 108 is also believed to be connected to the heart chakra, and many yogic practices involve repeating a mantra or a specific action 108 times as a way of focusing the mind and cultivating spiritual awareness.
It felt almost like destiny when the Lighthouse Film Company’s annual staff retreat aimed at rejuvenating and energizing each member culminated with us climbing 108 steps to reach the peak of the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina. It seemed kismet—it seemed inspired—it seemed to reenforce our conviction that we were all moving in the right direction, together as one.
All of us crowded at the top and we talked about what was ahead for Lighthouse Films. We talked about how everyone could work together to use the power of television and film to create messages to inspire the average person to do small acts of kindness to help transform the world with that very kindness. As the wind swept through the carved-out windows at the lighthouse’s summit, we envisioned utilizing the power of moving pictures, music, voiceover, and editing to inspire people towards creating a new vision that empowers us all to manifest the world we all acknowledge exists: a world of unity, co-creation, acceptance, and love.
Check out David’s latest work, Memoirs of a Renaissance Man.
Our goal was to encourage people that anyone can make a difference. No matter a person’s lot in life, everyone was ability to at the very least, smile at someone, hold a door, or simply lend an ear to listen. We all have this power within us and it only takes a moment of mindfulness to activate our power.
It was a truly special moment. As we stood atop this iconic lighthouse, we agreed that each of us would become like a lighthouse in our own lives. In the past, a lighthouse was used as a beacon of light that helped sailors navigate through treacherous waters to reach their destination safely. We, too, can be a lighthouse by bringing joy, kindness, and happiness to our fellow man. By radiating positivity and kindness, we can help guide others through the challenges of life and help them find a space where they can be a little happier and a little more content. Like a lighthouse we can stand tall and strong in the face of adversity by providing a sense of comfort and security to those around us. By being a source of light and hope we can inspire others to be their best selves and create a brighter, more joyful world for all.
It only take a moment of mindfulness. One cosmic instance of believing we can all be better, if we only try. It’s just takes trying. Be the lighthouse…
(To hear an audio reading of this blog click below to listen on Spotify.)
