A
perpetual breeze dances across the ocean, flitting up and down coastlines,
bringing with it the smell of salt and a taste of freedom. To me, this breeze
is one of the joys of spending time seaside. However, these gentle winds can
build, all too quickly, to violent storms that capsize ships, batter shores,
damage property, and destroy lives.
People
who live near the coast or make their living on the sea pay close attention to
the weather. They watch forecasts and heed warning signs. They board up their
windows, move their valued belongings to higher ground, or leave altogether
until the danger has passed. Sailors batten down hatches and furl their sails
to ride out inevitable storms. Where possible, they hunker down in port to
avoid the beating that nature can dole out.
There
are some, however, who refuse to shelter in safe places. Often, they bear the
brunt of nature’s fury. The resulting devastation can be difficult or
impossible to overcome and affects other people as well.
As Ziggy once said, “a little rain falls into every life, followed
by sleet, hail and damaging winds.” This humorous statement holds water. We all
face difficulties at one time or another, usually due to no fault of our own.
And we all must learn to cope. However, sometimes our choices land us directly
in the path of gale-force winds.
We
should take a lesson from mariners and coast-dwellers. Prepare against the
storms of life. Don’t seek them out. The easiest way to do this? Choose what is
right. Over and over again. Of course, we’re none of us perfect, but if we form
the habit of trying to do right, we’re much less likely to find ourselves
suffering amid a storm of violence, addictions, accusations…the list goes on.
What is
it about human nature that causes us to sometimes seek out trouble from which
we ought to flee? How have you avoided problems that could’ve wrecked your life
or harmed the ones you love?
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