A few years ago I had the pleasure of spending time aboard a friend’s beautiful boat.  As we set sail, we began discussing a metaphor for life on the ocean: the water is not placid, it continuously surges and flows. Life is very much the same way; unpredictable. As circumstances outside of us are shifting quite rapidly, we need to adjust inside of us.  In times like these, when our boat is rocking from side to side, with things literally flying off the table and outcomes unknown, what can we rely on?

Dropping your anchor

Most of us are fortunate to have people and things we can rely on.  For me, it’s my husband and cousins, my dear community, my kids, music, and the outdoors.  As an assignment, I have my clients make a list of each member of their support team.  Everything from their physician to their dog sitter.  What or who can you rely on when things get rocky?  This is a good time to assess.  One of my Mastermind participants told the group a story of when she first started learning to sail.  She said initially she was deeply frightened of the boat tipping over, until her instructor explained the job of the keel. The keel prevents the boat from being blown sideways by the wind, and it holds the ballast that keeps the boat right-side up.  Slowly, with practice, my client learned to trust the keel, and her fear dissipated.  As with life, we need to practice trust.  What is your keel?  Whom or what do you need to trust more, as you sail through this new flow of your life?

Losing sight of the shore

In Richard Bach’s profound book Illusions, the story begins with a bevy of small sea creatures clinging to the side of the river for fear of the unknown that lies before them.  One sea creature, more afraid of boredom than anything else, finally lets go.  The other creatures cry out with fear, assuming he is doomed. And to their surprise, the river lifted him free. He was considered a Messiah by the other creatures and became a legend.  We can’t possibly predict everything what will happen in our life, but in order for us to have more meaningful experiences, we have to be willing to be something we have never been, perhaps do something we’ve never done, like this moment – and that sometimes means losing sight of the shore.

 We have been so fortunate, and life is not always smooth sailing.  It surges and flows.  It is a constant process of learning and relearning, being vulnerable, and practicing.  You’re growing and changing daily, you’re not the same person you were a year ago or even last month.  In addition, the tides are constantly changing.  With circumstances around us shifting dramatically, our footing can feel unsteady, and sometimes seem idle, and that’s ok.  Even a safe harbor has its own surprises; boats seem to come at you from all directions, paddle boarders on both sides, kayakers in front, and massive ships; it can feel a little unnerving.  It’s inevitable we will hit some rough seas in our life, and you’ll be better outfitted by going deep within yourself, counting your blessings, trusting your keel, and focusing on the beautiful horizon that lies ahead.