Tides reveal a lot about the sea. In high tide we see the buoyant sea and strong waves, and from the outside are unable to get a sense of what lies beneath. But when the tide is low, the sharp rocks start showing up.
We too go through the highs and lows of life. When the tide is in our favour, in the buoyancy of well-being and prosperity we are brimming with confidence that we can manage any situation that may come our way. It is only when the tide turns and we find circumstances unfavourable, do our sharp weaknesses get exposed.
Are we really as mentally tough as we thought? Trying times test our inner resilience and balance. We start realising our true ability to maintain our composure in adversity. Being aware of the way we conduct ourselves helps build our emotional stamina.
Are we aware of the deep rooted fears we are living with? When things start going wrong, our deepest fears start surfacing. We start imagining scenarios and suddenly realise the insecurities we are living with. Knowing our insecurities is the first step in effectively dealing with them.
Are our relationships as strong as we thought they were? We may not be the only one under pressure. In tough times we get to know who stands by us and we also realise our own willingness and ability to be supportive, even when under pressure.
Are we able to keep our perspective when things are going contrary to our plans? We get to know our true nature when the tide turns against us. We find out for ourselves whether we are a pot of mud, breaking under pressure, or an iron ball, causing much destruction with our negative emotions, or are we a rubber ball, having the attitude of bouncing back higher.
Are we giving into our weaknesses and escaping when things get too much to handle? The lurking tendencies and habits we thought we may have overcome, can easily become our escape. It is at a low point that we are vulnerable and realise whether we have truly overcome the weaknesses we thought we had.
Ships sail on high seas but get wrecked by the lurking rocks beneath. When the tide of life turns, it is not coming as a crisis. It is coming as an opportunity to expose what lies beneath, to show us our true strength and nature, and it comes as a guidance for the changes we need to make.
The tide will turn sooner or later. Things will settle and the buoyancy will be back. The way we sail through life will not depend on the high tide in our life, but on the realisations we had and the changes we committed to when the tide was low.
(Picture – East Coast of Mauritius)
Sign of the times …this is so relevant right now, Thank you for bringing it to the forefront
Dear Vivek, a beautifully written piece. I truly admire your ability to see life lessons in simple things. More importantly, your ability to articulate those life lessons.
Nothing in life is permanent. While we worry about the low tides, it is equally important to remember not to fly when the tide is high, because when the tide turns, the fall is tough.
In my limited experience, the way to manoeuvre the low tides, is to simply stay focused on the present. Not to worry about what can happen nor get bogged down by our past experiences of failures or otherwise, and simply focus on the job to be executed. To let all your energies flow in resolving the situation. While this is easily said than done, it is also very possible. One’s focus and perspective starts wavering when one moves away from the present into the past or the future.
Also, a firm belief in the theory of karma always gives one the ability to accept what comes his way and the strength to move on.
Very well said, again thanks for sharing your wisdom.