51 years after the catastrophic collision between two ocean liners, Andrea Doria survivor, Pierette Domenica Simpson, sets sail on a healing journey called Ocean of Gratitude.
Novi, MI (PRWEB) January 17, 2008 — Pierette Domenica Simpson survived the most calamitous collision in history on the Atlantic in1956, but now plans to dissolve the emotional scars on the Ocean of Gratitude cruise hosted on Carnival’s Liberty ship.
As a nine-year-old, Simpson was immigrating to the U.S. with her grandparents, when the Swedish liner Stockholm rammed the luxurious Andrea Doria. The family survived but suffered deeply from the trauma. “I’ve resisted ocean travel since that foggy night of July 25, 1956, and it’s time to move on.”
From February 16-24, Carnival’s Liberty, embarking from Ft. Lauderdale, will host masters of spiritual and holistic teachings. Reverend Michael Beckwith, Oprah guest who is featured in THE SECRET, is among a group of presenters using techniques such as gratitude, yoga, water blessing, rhythm of gratitude drumming, and The Lifeline Technique.
Simpson, author of “Alive on the Andrea Doria! The Greatest Sea Rescue in
History”, is also an author in a soon-to-be released gratitude series called “Thank
God I Stories of Appreciation for Every Situation” (www.ThankGodI.com) Her story
of appreciation for having experienced a catastrophe embraces the notion that one cannot move past adverse experiences until they are accepted, actually saying “thank you” for them.
“I can’t pass up this opportunity to prove that I’m grateful and fear-free of ocean travel; the Andrea Doria tragedy was my training ground for courage in life.
Several thank GOD I authors will be there to remind me of this, and hold my hand if when I need it. John Castagnini, founder of the THANK GOD I book series, and student of gratitude master, John Demartini of “The Secret”, is coaching Simpson before setting sail. Simpson explains, “Mr. Castagnini tells me that we learn our best lessons from our greatest challenges. This cruise will be challenging for me, but gratitude will be my pilot. It will help me weather the storm in my mind.”
Ocean of Gratitude director, Karol Avalon, personally invited Simpson on board this unique spiritual voyage. She recalls, “At first Ms. Simpson simply rejected the idea, but then I explained the nature of the cruise and she became comfortable with the idea.” Avalon has taken the survivor’s needs into account by finding her a roommate who is a spiritual coach.
In preparation for her voyage, Simpson is researching maritime travel improvements implemented since the Andrea Doria catastrophe. Her research along with her personal shipwreck experience is being used by SNAME (Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers) to bring forth insights for safety at sea.
The shipwreck survivor explains, “I’m convinced that Carnival has implemented sound safety measures on all its ships; and it’s also environmentally conscious. Besides, I can’t continue to research, write, and speak about marine safety unless I act like I’m a true believer. I hope that by taking this leap of faith, others will want to heal underlying fears of travel.”