I’m sure you’ve seen the motivational poster. The ship sailing away into the sunset with the caption, “A ship is always safe in the harbor but that’s not why a ship was made.” I like that…a lot. But I’ve got another analogy I remember from a camp story.
Years ago, my brother Clay told a great story at camp and it’s stuck with me all these years.
Imagine you’re going scuba diving so you lay out all your equipment and begin to gear up. You step into the skin-tight wet suit and zip up the long zipper. You put on the very cool mask and snorkel. You check your tank and regulator to make sure they’re functioning properly. You shoulder the burden and feel the weight of it between your shoulder blades. Your anticipation for the water builds.
You put on the weight belt and the enormous watch to help remind you of how much oxygen you have. You strap your diver’s knife to your calf and pick up your spear gun. Finally, you don the big flippers and cinch them down so the current won’t pull them off your feet. You can’t help but check yourself in the mirror. Yeah, you’re cool. Now you’re ready. You put the mask down on your face and put the regulator in your mouth and begin to breathe. Then…
you go sit in the bathtub.
Now isn’t that nice. You splash around a little in the hot water but quickly realize that wearing all that scuba gear in the bathtub is a bit ridiculous and you begin to take it off; piece by piece. Not because it’s not great equipment, but because you just don’t need it.
Here’s the deal. You were born with great equipment. You have the latest and greatest stuff; all designed to help you not only survive but thrive. But when you choose to just “sit in the tub,” all that cool stuff goes to waste.
There are gifts and talents buried deep within you that only the ocean full of adventure can bring to the surface. If you never embark on that adventure…those talents will be buried forever.
You’ve got the right stuff. Now get out of the safety of the bathtub and dive into the deep.
Mike, Thank you. This was the perfect “story” for where I am at. It is a confirmation for a new adventure. Details to follow, once I understand it. Anyway thanks and I will probably be reposting this. Ann
Thanks Ann!
It’s always fun to talk about new adventures and to pine away for the just the chance to leap out into the void and go for something big. But…
…when the opportunity actually presents itself we have to do battle with the dragon called “Resistance!” Inertia can be a powerful thing. Your courage to take on the dragon and launch out is encouraging to me and I know for so many others as well!
Best,
M.