Pulled out to see!
Despite living in Florida and going to the beach - I have never been caught in a rip current (commonly misnamed a "riptide"). I live in an area where these are pretty prevalent - and know plenty of people who have experienced its surprising presence.
Unfortunately, rip currents claim a number of lives each year from swimmers who get caught in the current, panic, and then drown in the process. Given the intense circumstances, it's understanding how this happens. One minute you are in knee deep water - and moments later you are being pulled out deep to sea. Not a pleasant experience.
In reality, surviving a rip current is quite easy when you know how to deal with it. Here is a diagram of what to do:
But, this blog isn't so much about surviving an actual rip current - but it had me thinking - how is this any different than life? What kind of "life" rip currents have you gotten caught in and almost drown as a result?
Think about it. You're doing your own thing, enjoying the surf, thinking you have things figured out - and the next thing you know you are getting pulled in a different direction against your will.
What do you do?
Well, most of us, myself included, often fight this change. We push back! We fight harder against the resistance knowing "we know the right way!" "I won't accept this because it's not fair!" "If I only push harder I can will my plan to work!" "I refuse to accept this change!" "This can't being happening to me!" "Not now!"
Sound familiar?
But sometimes, no matter how hard you push - it's not enough. It's a battle you cannot win - and in the process - it might even wear you down.
What would happen if you didn't resist and actually allowed the flow to carry you to this new place? Instead of getting pulled out to "sea" - what might you be able to "see" from this new perspective?
The goal or destination has not changed - but the path to get there might need a new strategy or approach. As with a rip current, the solution is not to be pulled out to sea and then stop and give up. The solution comes from recognizing that once we accept "what is," we can now see there are other options that provide much less resistance - and in this case - no resistance at all.
It's time to swim parallel.
Albert Einstein once said, "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."
Resistance, or change in life, forces us to be open to new solutions in order to progress. This is not a bad thing - but actually an opportunity to discover and grow in a new way. If we always try to stay where we are - how can we ever go anywhere new - or better - more exciting - and more fulfilling?
In her spiritual guidebook Science and Health, Eddy writes, "Who would stand before a blackboard, and pray the principle of mathematics to solve the problem? The rule is already established, and it is our task to work out the solution."
There is always a solution to each problem we are faced with - but it might require being open to a new perspective to see it. As I write this blog, I can admit that I feel I have been pulled out to sea in my own life rip current - yet here I am - looking at the shore and starting to swim parallel for a new perspective. I know the path is there - so I am going to keep swimming.
If you feel yourself dealing with your own rip current - I would love to help you swim with some coaching.
You know how to find me :)
Much love!
Travis
561.676.4583
Unfortunately, rip currents claim a number of lives each year from swimmers who get caught in the current, panic, and then drown in the process. Given the intense circumstances, it's understanding how this happens. One minute you are in knee deep water - and moments later you are being pulled out deep to sea. Not a pleasant experience.
In reality, surviving a rip current is quite easy when you know how to deal with it. Here is a diagram of what to do:
But, this blog isn't so much about surviving an actual rip current - but it had me thinking - how is this any different than life? What kind of "life" rip currents have you gotten caught in and almost drown as a result?
Think about it. You're doing your own thing, enjoying the surf, thinking you have things figured out - and the next thing you know you are getting pulled in a different direction against your will.
What do you do?
Well, most of us, myself included, often fight this change. We push back! We fight harder against the resistance knowing "we know the right way!" "I won't accept this because it's not fair!" "If I only push harder I can will my plan to work!" "I refuse to accept this change!" "This can't being happening to me!" "Not now!"
Sound familiar?
But sometimes, no matter how hard you push - it's not enough. It's a battle you cannot win - and in the process - it might even wear you down.
What would happen if you didn't resist and actually allowed the flow to carry you to this new place? Instead of getting pulled out to "sea" - what might you be able to "see" from this new perspective?
The goal or destination has not changed - but the path to get there might need a new strategy or approach. As with a rip current, the solution is not to be pulled out to sea and then stop and give up. The solution comes from recognizing that once we accept "what is," we can now see there are other options that provide much less resistance - and in this case - no resistance at all.
It's time to swim parallel.
Albert Einstein once said, "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."
Resistance, or change in life, forces us to be open to new solutions in order to progress. This is not a bad thing - but actually an opportunity to discover and grow in a new way. If we always try to stay where we are - how can we ever go anywhere new - or better - more exciting - and more fulfilling?
In her spiritual guidebook Science and Health, Eddy writes, "Who would stand before a blackboard, and pray the principle of mathematics to solve the problem? The rule is already established, and it is our task to work out the solution."
There is always a solution to each problem we are faced with - but it might require being open to a new perspective to see it. As I write this blog, I can admit that I feel I have been pulled out to sea in my own life rip current - yet here I am - looking at the shore and starting to swim parallel for a new perspective. I know the path is there - so I am going to keep swimming.
If you feel yourself dealing with your own rip current - I would love to help you swim with some coaching.
You know how to find me :)
Much love!
Travis
561.676.4583
Labels: Albert Einstein, life coaching, mary baker eddy, rip current, Science and Health
1 Comments:
Travis,
I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate this post. I will for sure come back to it often!
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