ZenHabits blogger Leo Babauta presented an interesting metaphor in his most recent post, suggesting that in life, "We are not walking a path, but surfing a sea." Like the sea, life is full of "waves" over which we have little control. Consequently, riding these waves isn't about strict planning so much as doing the best you can with whatever the sea (or life) offers.
Some days the offering is quite small, while others it's overwhelming. Knowing how to take whatever is given and make it meaningful is perhaps an important skill according to this understanding.
I rather like Mr. Babauta's metaphor, because it seems to capture something important about the diversity of influences in our lives; that some are within our control and others are not; indeed, a lot of trouble can arise when we confuse which is which. It's not an easy judgment to make, given the way influences change with context (another affinity with the sea). But it's one that with practice may help us appreciate all the gifts--obvious and otherwise--that life sends our way. Learning to use whatever is at hand may help us all ride the waves of life a little more peacefully. Something to consider anyway.
Happy Thursday, friends :)
If you enjoyed this post, feel free to share it with others. Many thanks!
No comments:
Post a Comment