Sailing with the Wind

Two days ago my husband and I sailed for the first time on a Hobie Catamaran at the resort where we are vacationing.  When we catch the wind just right, we go fast.  When we don’t, we float.  Pretty simply physics, really. 

It occurred to me that life can be this way also.  If we turn our sail into the wind when the breeze of life’s challenges blow, we will use that experience to learn, grow, and go forward in life.  We spend a lot of energy sometimes fighting back against these challenges, yet that is like turning our sail against the wind.  We will spend a lot of time not getting anywhere, and might capsize.  Yet if we turn our sail into the wind, and learn along with life’s challenges, then this will help us gain knowledge which we can put to use with other future struggles, or perhaps to avoid them. 

At our resort, the wind blows from north to south.  If you want to return the catamaran back to the beach shore, but you travel too far south, you will have to travel north again, then sail into the beach from the north.  In other words, sail in the direction of the wind and you will have smooth sailing, and the winds will bring you back home.  

Today, my wish for you is to learn along with life’s challenges, rather than fight back against them. This is the best way to reach the place of maturity you are intended to have.