Blessed Struggle

I walked on the beach this morning. The air was surprisingly still and the waves were calm and steady. Nearing low tide, there was a wide, clear expanse of sand with scattered shells and stretches of footprints from early risers. I somehow let myself forget how nurturing it is to spend time where the great waters meet the land.

As I walked, I saw a baby sea turtle getting tumbled in a wave. I stopped and watched. One wave left it on its back, flapping its legs to turn back over. The next wave helped and it was back on all fours but carried higher up on the sand. Finally a wave came and the tiny turtle was able to ride it into the water. I knew its adventure was just beginning, the calm surface of the ocean a powerful cover for all the life teeming below.

I really wanted to help. Watching the turtle, especially when it was flailing, I wanted to simply carry it out into the water. But somewhere along the way I was told that that initial trek through the sand is what strengthens the little turtle; it’s what gives it a chance to survive the even-bigger challenges it will undoubtedly face in the wide open ocean waters. (Imagine the theme from “Jaws” playing in the background. . . ). Like a butterfly pushing out of its cocoon, the struggle is necessary for survival.

I walked and considered my own struggles and how I meet them and have to admit my own resistance. It does, though, make sense that the struggles are what makes us stronger. Even more than strength, our challenges help to mold and shape the people we become. Whether that means curling up in a ball and waiting for the storm to pass or meeting what comes with a metaphoric sword in hand, or everything in between. Each day, we meet what comes in some way.

One of the teachings that I tap into reminds us that our emotions are simply guidance. Negative emotions can be a powerful, visceral way to bring awareness to preferences and desires. From this perspective, I get the sense that riding those emotions, especially the strong negative ones, like a surfer riding a big wave, would be a preferable option. Waves of negative emotions seem to have the power to pull me under and toss me around, leaving me disoriented and gasping for air. The baby sea turtle reminded me that each wave is followed by another, and another, and some would actually be quite helpful. The more I can ride the waves, maintain some awareness, the more I can flow with ease.

I continued walking, enjoying the calm of the morning. Yes, life would continue to bring waves; I don’t think we’d want it to be flat and calm all the time. Where’s the adventure in that?! I feel grateful for the reminder to ride the waves and acknowledge the preferences and desires that they potentially reveal, grateful for the gift of strength that the struggles provide. Grateful.