I can honestly say I haven’t had the smoothest of seas to navigate the waterways of my life but I have never had the urge to abandon ship and head for the calmness of the shore. Sometimes being adrift in that expansive sea brought challenges I had never anticipated but, through those unexpected waves, I found I had more ability to navigate than I gave myself due credit.
I could feel comfortable being captain of my ship knowing that I could sail those high seas with confidence. I stood my ground at the helm. Although the sea threatened to swallow me more than a few times, I anchored myself to my craft, trusted in my strength and rode the currents to safety.
Experience is the greatest teacher and life is certainly gracious enough to acquiesce and provide a heaping dose. Becoming able to weather any storm is knowing how to learn from that experience and store it for the future. I can now sit back and let the wind blow my sails in any direction because I am well prepared for the next tempest.
polysyllabic profundities 
I found myself nodding nonstop as I read this.
It’s an interesting ride. I’m hoping to find some calm waters this year.
Lovely metaphor!
Thanks very much.
Beautiful, Susan! Here’s to riding out the storms that may come along in 2015.
Thanks Jill. Hopefully we can all have some smooth waters this year.
I’ve said this at least half a dozen times before but I’m saying it again regardless, I love your writing style! I’ve used that very quote with my friends before as they’ve had struggles and try to remember it myself even. It’s so true that sometimes the only way to get better is through experience and that can, at times, be pretty rough seas but the reward of getting through the storm is pretty great (and that’s an understatement).
Thank you so much. I really do appreciate that. 🙂