"A perpetual calm will never make a sailor" -- Unknown
Over the years I have read and heard variations on the above quote, especially when I was in the Coast Guard. One of the qualifications I had in the CG was known as a "coxswain", which essentially is a boat pilot who is skilled in navigation, seamanship, boat handling, and is basically the person in charge (you can read more here, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coxswain). Once you received your coxswain pin, it really didn't mean a darn thing until you proved yourself worthy of wearing the pin, which relates to the above quote. I had my trail-by-fire shortly after getting my pin, which is another story for another time.
Too often we think that life should be free of heavy seas, storms and difficulty. Through all my years of research, study, and personal experience, I've yet to find a tradition, path, or religion which makes this promise. In a nut shell, thinking that being "spiritually" fit or "enlightened" means that life is never challenging or somehow becomes "easy" is an erroneous and immature understanding of the spiritual life. Rather, as I have said for years, "it isn't what happens in your life that matters, what matters is how you respond."
Over the years I have read and heard variations on the above quote, especially when I was in the Coast Guard. One of the qualifications I had in the CG was known as a "coxswain", which essentially is a boat pilot who is skilled in navigation, seamanship, boat handling, and is basically the person in charge (you can read more here, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coxswain). Once you received your coxswain pin, it really didn't mean a darn thing until you proved yourself worthy of wearing the pin, which relates to the above quote. I had my trail-by-fire shortly after getting my pin, which is another story for another time.
Too often we think that life should be free of heavy seas, storms and difficulty. Through all my years of research, study, and personal experience, I've yet to find a tradition, path, or religion which makes this promise. In a nut shell, thinking that being "spiritually" fit or "enlightened" means that life is never challenging or somehow becomes "easy" is an erroneous and immature understanding of the spiritual life. Rather, as I have said for years, "it isn't what happens in your life that matters, what matters is how you respond."
When adversity arises, what do you do? When you are in the midst of a challenging workout, how do you respond? When you are assigned a workout that you don't want to do, what do you do? When your ego is craving to over-eat or eat junk food, what is your reaction? Responding in a manner that is not congruent with your vision and your intentions reflects areas of suffering, fear, resistance, "reactions", or ignorance that should be addressed. Observe how you respond to adversity, be it work, family/relationship, workouts, etc. Do you see a pattern emerge? How are your responses working for you?
As in sailing, we should be thankful for life's squalls that arise from nowhere, we should be grateful for gale-force winds that potentially blow us off course, and we should embrace the heavy emotional seas, all of which help us to become better sailors in life.
In Peace,
Chris
3 comments:
Thanks Chris! Powerful words and a lot to take away. I think I needed to hear that right about now!
Loretta
Coach Chris,
Wendy and I marveled - separately and together - just how perfect and timely this was for us - personally and professionally. The skies have blackened, the waves grown angry. We're turning into the wind and ready to ride this one out!!! Batten down the hatches, mates.
John
Hey Guys,
Thanks for sharing your comments. I'm happy to hear that what I felt inspired to write has inspired you in some way.
"Batten down the hatches, mates." I like that, John. My best to you and Wendy. May the course you have plotted lead you towards calmer seas and here's to earning your own "coxswain's pin" : -)
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