by Jonathan Huie…
From ancient times, the troubles of life have been visualized as storms. In the following ancient Chinese saying, the troubles of life are compared to a windstorm:
A tree that is unbending is easily broken. (Lao Tzu)
The meaning of this quote is that if we fight against our Life-Storms like a rigid and brittle tree, we may be successful in resisting smaller life-storms, but will snap sharply and unexpectedly when the storm reaches some unforeseen intensity. By contrast, if we are yielding, like the strong yet flexible willow, we can weather the strongest life-storm. This illustrates the Way of Acceptance – changing our attitude toward life rather than attempting the impossible task of changing what life brings us.
While bending with the Life-Storms’ attack is far superior to either rigidly resisting or being blown like a tumbleweed, consider the advantages of mastering the forces of our Life-Storms and using those forces to do our Life-Work and achieve mastery of our lives.
Consider the subtle yet highly effective technique of a self-defense martial artist. The martial artist utilizes almost none of his (or her) own energy, while turning the opponent’s force back against him. The greater the force with which the opponent attacks, the more “free” energy the martial artist has at his disposal. This is how a small but well trained martial artist can easily overcome powerful opponent. The more viciously the opponent attacks, the easier victory becomes for the skillful martial artist.
Now visualize your battle with the storms of life as occurring on a body of water – the Ocean of Life.
Consider three ways one might meet Life-Storms
1. As Raft
2. As Motorboat
3. As Sailboat
Like a martial artist, a sailboat utilizes the power of its adversary. The stronger the wind, the faster and more agile a well designed and well mastered sailboat becomes.
In contrast, a motorboat must work exceedingly hard to move. And its rate of fuel consumption sharply increases with increased speed. Fuel for a power boat is a very limited, very expensive non-renewable resource. Small sailboats routinely travel from continent to continent or even around the world, but a small powerboat would require a virtually impossible quantity and expense of fuel for such a journey.
Viewed as our boat of Life, would we rather be the Sailboat and effectively transmute the energy of the storm to our intended purposes; or would we rather try to be the motorboat and expend vast quantities of our own very limited energy resources in trying to fight against the forces of Life; or would we rather be the raft and passively wait for Life’s forces to blow us onto the rocks or wherever its winds happen to be blowing.
It is exceedingly exhausting – physically, mentally and emotionally – to attempt to power one’s way through life. We just don’t have the energy to do it even when life’s storms are only blowing gently. Time alone takes its toll on our fuel supply. And when our Life-Storms howl, and we attempt to crank up our motor to maximum emergency overload speed, we burn out. We run out of fuel, blow a gasket, or just explode – one way or another, it just isn’t a pretty sight, and it’s no fun for our friends and family either.
The third alternative – being a raft – doesn’t even qualify as living a fully human life. Existing in total apathy, and remaining completely passive while Life’s winds and currents control our destiny is… well, let’s just say that kind of existence doesn’t much appeal to me.
Most people alternate between being a motorboat and being a raft. They first react to Life’s storms by trying to power through them. When that doesn’t work well and they run low on fuel, they reach the point of despair, and become the raft. Some people just remain rafts, but usually people refuel and revert to trying to be motorboats and trying to power through their Life-Storms.
Choose to be the Sailboat on the Ocean of Life. Use your mastery of life skills to turn adversity to your advantage. Power your movement through life by redirecting the energy of the same Life-Storms that are devastating others.
About the Author:
A Sailboat is the metaphor for Life in the book Simply An Inspired Life (SAIL): Consciously Choosing Unbounded Happiness in Good Times and Bad by Jonathan Lockwood Huie and Mary Anne Radmacher.
Read more of Jonathan’s self awareness articles including 7 Secrets of Happy Couples, De-stress Your Life and How to be Happy in Life. Then sign up for his free daily inspirational email of quotes and insights on living a happier life. Jonathan Lockwood Huie, “The Philosopher of Happiness,” is author of 100 Secrets for Living a Life You Love.** May your own thoughts be gentle upon yourself – Jonathan Lockwood Huie **
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Huie
http://EzineArticles.com/?Sailing-the-Storms-of-Life-With-Courage-and-Intent&id=3996351
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