Disclosure: I only recommend products/services I would use myself and feel might benefit you as well. This post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
As we concluded our hot yoga class, our instructor told us a story of how, when she was trying to teach her friends to paddleboard, the waters started off calm but then got unexpectedly choppy on the other side of the lake. She explained that this was a great metaphor for life. This got me thinking of the countless times that this has happened to me on paddleboards, kayaks, and even watercraft.
Nature is an excellent teacher for some of life’s most prevalent lessons, and bodies of water are one of the more powerful teachers. A jaunt on the water can start off serene and calm but then quickly turn to suspense and uncertainty.
Sometimes it’s hard to tell when the waves and winds are going to turn, which adds to the unpredictability. Some days are calm throughout. Some days start off rough and surprisingly turn calm. And lastly, we have the unfortunate days of a calm start that turn into choppy waters.
Sound a bit like life to you?
Starting with serenity
Many times when you start your journey on a paddleboard, kayak, or even motorized transportation the waters and air are calm. You find yourself gaining momentum as you get into the groove of the journey. You look around taking in the scenery, breathing in the fresh air, grateful for the opportunity to move your body and be out in nature.
You find it easy to be present in the moment as you enter a flow state of nature, physical activity, and a state of mind that begins to clear all the thoughts weighing you down. Nothing can stop you now.
Just as we get into these states of flow and serenity when on the water, we get into these states throughout the journey of life. There are pages and chapters of life where it just feels like you’ve got it all going on. You get momentum, your energy is increasing, and you’re in awe of all the amazing people and happenings in your life.
During these times of our life, it’s easier to be present in the moment, to be grateful for what we have, and to be open to giving and receiving.
Transitioning to suspense
For those who are regulars on the water, you know that depending on where you start on the lake and which direction the wind typically blows that the other side of the lake can be a completely different story. For example, the lake on which I typically participate in my watersports usually has a stronger wind on the north side so if I’m starting on a different side of the lake, I often start my journey when the water is super smooth, even reminiscent of glass.
As I move further to the north side of the lake, though, things begin to change. The first lesson came as my mom and I were paddleboarding several years ago and decided we wanted to go around the entire lake. As we made it to the north side of the lake, the wind and waves were so strong that we had to sit and lay on our paddleboards in order to stay on.
The day turned from a peaceful, fun paddleboard ride to one filled with a bit of suspense and anxiety and a whole lot of work to get out of the situation. We debated on the best course of action. Any option would be a whole lot of effort.
We eventually powered back through the wind and waves and returned to calmer waters.
Life is no different
I think we’ve all had at least one experience in life that is reminiscent of this paddleboarding experience. You feel like you’re on top of the world and that only good things are headed your way. Because of this euphoric state you’re in, you feel totally and completely blindsided when something happens to totally jolt you out of your flow.
You look around and wonder how you went from such serenity to such anxiety so quickly. You feel that you’re now being hit from all directions and you have to figure out how to get out of the situation.
This is where nature is such a powerful teacher of life.
When you feel totally knocked off course and like you’ve entered the turbulent waters of life, remember to treat it like any other day on the water. Hunker down, take care of yourself and those around you, don’t panic, and get yourself back in the game to get out of the situation.
- When life gets rough, it’s okay to hunker down. You don’t always need to be at peak performance, you just need to be at whatever version of “best” you can give at that time. If you have to sit down to carry on, sit down. If you have to lay down, do that.
- Take care of yourself and those around you. It can be easy to be distracted by the noise and drama of daily life, and when it all feels too much, it’s important to remember to take care of yourself and your loved ones before worrying about anything else you have to address.
- Don’t panic. For any adventurers out there, you know that panicking can take you into an even worse situation than you find yourself in. The same thing is true in life. When you hit the rough waters of life, stay calm, trust God, and know it will all work out. Jon Gordon discusses in his new book The One Truth (links to hardcover and Kindle) the ebbs and flows of life and how connection with God can lead to oneness and positive mindset.
- Get in the game. When you’re stuck in literal rough waters, you can’t just give up and hope the waters will calm down. You’ve got to develop a plan of how to weather the waters or how to power through and get out of the situation. Similarly, when life gets rough, you can’t just give up. Take care of yourself first and then starting taking action to get out of the situation. This will not only help improve the situation but will also help improve your confidence along the way.
Nature’s lessons are all around us. Even if you aren’t a watersport extraordinaire, I bet you can recall some other similar encounter with nature. Next time you feel you’ve entered a turbulent part of life, immerse your mind in the memory of nature and follow that path to get back on track in life.
If you’re interested in your own transformational journey, reach out to me using the button below to book your free discovery session to see if I can support you along your journey to unlock the full potential of joy, freedom, and strength within your life.
Disclosure: I only recommend products/services I would use myself and feel might benefit you as well. This post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Disclaimer: This blog should not be construed as providing, or intending to provide, professional financial, legal, psychological, or other professional advice. It is simply meant to share my experiences for those that may find them relatable and helpful.