Lost at Sea
Dear Readers,
When I went to school in Madison, I often sat by the lake. I remember one visit in particular in which I observed this duck.
As the winds blew harshly and clouds covered the sky, I watched as the waves rocked back and forth.
Amongst unsteady waters, the duck struggled to swim. The water flowed one way, but she swam the other, fighting the natural drift.
She pushed and pushed, resisting where the water flowed. Where does she want to go?
Unfortunately, the sea does not provide guidance.
She began to flow with the waves, flowing naturally, then turned again, back to fighting.
With no clear destination, she struggled to find her way. Lost at sea.
The waves picked up in speed and intensity. The sky a cluster of voluminous cotton balls, blocking the sun. Not even the sun could guide her, or the moon, or the waves. Who would?
I watched as she turned directions, back and forth, back and forth.
Fairly calm above the water, but kicking her legs hard beneath the surface.
No clear destination awaits her; her path is up to her.
The tides pushed and pulled, but she continued to fight the waves.
Despite all circumstances, she must stay afloat.
Many of us can feel like ducks lost at sea, trying to find our way. Keeping composure on the exterior but kicking hard beneath the surface.
We feel like the waves push and pull us in different directions as we aim to discover and follow our path. Some of us try to fight the waves, forcing areas in life that may not be coming naturally to us, while others simply try to stay afloat.
If you feel lost at sea, don’t try to fight the waves. You don’t want to use up all of your energy on swimming forcefully and constantly searching for direction.
Give yourself patience, learn about yourself, and reflect on what feels natural to you and where you feel a natural pull. Our internal instincts and external forces in life often guide us to where we are meant to be, which can take time to discover and may evolve. We must learn to be attuned to our instincts.
As I observed from afar, I wanted the duck to take a deep breath. Let go. Stay afloat. Roll with the tides. Follow her inner pull.
If so, with time, the waves would carry her and she would find her path.
So will you.
Love,
Samantha
