The Bigger the Boat, the Further from Water: Why More Isn't Better

We live in a world where "next level" is the constant goal—bigger homes, better jobs, fancier vacations, flashier lifestyles. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself why? Why do we chase more when so many of us feel emptier than ever?

Jen Smith, host of Launch Your Rocket, lives on a 42-foot boat named Restless Spirit—a name that perfectly captures the tension many of us feel. After a house renovation setback, she and her family temporarily moved onto the boat. What they found wasn’t inconvenience, but clarity. Stillness. Peace. Truth.

In her latest episode, Jen shares a poignant analogy: “The bigger the boat, the further you are from the water.” The water, in her story, symbolizes truth, presence, God—the source of real peace and purpose. The world keeps telling us to upgrade, to expand, to chase the dream. But sometimes, those very upgrades distance us from what matters most.

She invites us to consider: Are we living for the applause, or for impact? Are we scrolling through Pinterest for a better kitchen, while missing the sacredness of the one we already have? Are we so busy branding our lives that we’ve forgotten how to live them?

Through the lens of her father’s legacy—a quiet man of faith who lived simply, gave generously, and served others without needing recognition—Jen reminds us that success doesn’t always look like a yacht. Sometimes it looks like a life anchored in purpose. A handwritten letter from a former student decades later proves that impact isn’t built on polish—it’s built on presence.

This is a wake-up call to let go of the performance and reconnect with the presence. To stop using the world’s blueprint to chase God’s blessings. To return to what’s real and lasting.

So what’s your “bigger boat”? A job title? A certain number of followers? A partner who finally makes you feel worthy? Jen’s message is clear: whatever you’re chasing, make sure it isn’t pulling you away from the water—from the Source.

You don’t need more to feel full. You need meaning. You need presence. You need purpose. And most of all, you need to stay close to the water.