Just Keep Swimming

Life is a stream of experiences that sometimes causes turbulence

in transitioning. From birth to death, we encounter different
experiences that test our strength against the rip tides that pull us
under. Unprecedented events, misfortunes and mistakes all add
disturbances to the whimsical waters of life. While learning that we
cant change the altitude of the waves, we can change our attitude
while riding them. It will jet stream us upon the shore of self-discovery,
leading us to find the treasures of truth within ourselves. If you
havent picked up on it, I like metaphors.
Life without hardships would be smooth sailing, but not many
find that boat. Accepting that life will have its challenges should
motivate you to head for the wave with a grounded conviction. When
dealing with adversity, theres an abundance of pessimism and an
absence of optimism in our lives. A lot of people feel trapped in a
dreaded cloud of depression and negativity. According to scientists at
the Washington University School of Medicine, Two-thirds of people
suffering from depression do not seek necessary treatment. People
may feel like theres no point trying to get better, so they remain
trapped. Negativity suppresses the chances of prosperity. Tsunamis
form in our lives and resurface everything, but the destruction is only
as bad as we see it. For some, the devastation could be a dwelling of
hope, strength, resilience and change. Negativity, just like fear, limits
all projections of hope. According to Psychology Today, All negativity
has its roots in deep-seated fears: One fear being, the fear that bad
things are going to happen. These fears feed off each other to fuel the
belief that the world is a dangerous place.
One example I can not get out of my head, that took
place a couple years ago, is the Boeing 777 plane crash. On
July 6, 2013, the Boeing 777 crashed on the edge of the San Francisco
Airport runway. Lee Yoon Hye, a flight attendant and hero, handled the
turbulence well as she helped numerous people evacuate the plane
safely. She acted with her skills, not with her insecurities. Lee stated, I
was not thinking, but acting. When there was a fire, I was just thinking
to extinguish it, not thinking its too dangerous or what am I going to
do? She had all the reasons to cower, but she didnt want to fuel her
fire of fear. Instead, she put it out with her water of wisdom. Just
because a plane goes down, doesnt mean the people do too. There is
survival in the struggle if you dont suppress it with skepticism.
Some of us just feel like we are continually spinning the wheel of
misfortune. Bad news is not often associated with good possibilities,
but I knew one man who used his misfortune to help another. Michael
Carroll, a kid at my school, was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2003. After
returning to a normal life, three years after his treatment, another
wave crashed on his shore. On June 17th 2013, Michael was diagnosed

with a Glioblastoma Grade IV brain tumor. When he came home, he

had a compelling idea. He created Michaels Meanies, which were
stress balls designed as the three types of childhood cancer. They were
meant for children to take their anger out on the cancer, not the loved
ones around them. At the 2013, Debby Green Race, Michael said in his
Courage Award acceptance speech, I had those unbeatable odds
and I still do, but I can accomplish anything. Michael passed away
after a long fight, but he never once wanted to give up. His mission,
ignited by his passion, still continues as his living hope, to get his
meanies to all the kids diagnosed with cancer. Michael taught everyone
to face his or her meanies head-on, and not let them consume us.
In October of 2012, Hurricane Sandy devastated the New York
area. Many lives were lost and thousands of homes were destroyed. On
December 12, the Robin Hood Relief Program held a benefit concert for
Sandy relief. According to RobinHood.org, 290,000 people from 90
countries, and all 50 states raised over $51 million. With this money,
the Robin project was able to help more than 54,000 families attain
stable housing, and more. The best way to deal with adversity is to
have audacity in the recovery. When storms attack, you just have to
come back stronger.
Haruki Murakami, a best-selling Japanese writer, once said, And
once the storm is over, you wont remember how you made it through,
or how you managed to survive. You wont be sure whether the storm
is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the
storm, you wont be the same person who walked in. Thats what the
storm is all about.
While life can sometimes be unpredictable and turbulent, it can
be enlightening and wonderful. How do you see the waves? Daunting
and destroying, or exciting and forming? Forming you into a stronger,
better person. Unexpected events, misfortune, and mistakes all give
life a splash of difficulty that can be dried out by self-discovery. Swim.
Just keep swimming.