A ship in the harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.
Readying one’s self to be prepared to take on life‘s grand adventure is a perpetual effort.
From childhood, we are conditioned to learn, train, practice, study, and work, so that we might be ready when our moment in the sun comes to fruition.
Yet, even with all of that preparation and anticipation, when we are out on the open seas (metaphorically) we are vulnerable and susceptible to any of the variables that have the potential to decimate us at a moment’s notice.
The preparations we make for these eventualities have enormous potential to prepare us for the stormy seas ahead, but nothing ultimately prepares us for the true experiences we will ultimately encounter.
The desire to stay in safe harbor restricts a lot of people from ever venturing too far out to sea. But for some of us, the only place we know we belong, is out on the mighty ocean, working our magic, leveraging our training and bracing for bad weather.
All ocean metaphors notwithstanding, the truth is, it would be so much easier not to take on the giant variables in life. There would be considerably less ups and downs, less risk of failure, greater chance of staying alive….. and…..
A much greater chance of missing out on life’s grand adventure.
To some, that may appear a blessing. To others, it would be a curse. Some desperately need to get out into the world and take on the biggest challenges, assume massive risk, stare undaunted into the face of adversity, and ultimately…. prevail.
Why is that? As best as I am able to report from my reading, studying, asking and searching, the answer seems to be fairly universal. It is the same reason someone braves the climb to the top of Everest…. Because it’s there.
That seems like a shallow and trivial answer to a profound question, but using the 5 why’s as a guide, when you distill down to the essence of what makes someone like this kick their heels out of bed, with intent of slaying a dragon, you can almost, without question, distill their responses to the simple and most basic fact. They know the challenge is there and they must take it on. And that most certainly transports one from the sanctuary of a closed harbor to the dangers of the high seas. They do this because they have worked and trained and anticipated and the concept of living out their lives in a safe harbor, would be a slow death that would be excruciating on all levels.
Hope your Sunday is bringing you great joy!
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