The ocean is vast.

The vessel, its sails buffeted by light winds, glides upon its open waters.

In time, this sailboat will surely encounter a storm.

The winds will howl and shriek, and force the craft in directions the captain does not intend.  The gale will be so fierce, that the captain will lower the sails to avoid tears, rips, and damage that would hinder efficient navigation in the future.

The sea will rise and roil, and the waters will pummel and toss the vessel.   The surf will surge and abate violently, causing the boat to shoot skyward then drop violently. The captain will try desperately to secure all boxes and trunks with ropes and chains.

The skies will blacken, and a mighty deluge will be brought down upon the craft.  The captain will tighten hatches, slam and lock doors, and yank-shut panes.  The captain will don densely threaded clothes, and coat himself with rain gear, yet will still find himself cold, drenched, and shivering.

All these will happen at the same time.  And in these moments, the captain will simply hold on tightly, and keep the ship as level as possible, to keep from capsizing.

We all have an ocean inside of us.

We are trying to do our best to sail upon its waters.

We are beset often by the tumultuousness of our emotions.  They pull at us in inconvenient ways, at even more inconvenient times.  We decry their emergence when they cause us to do something unpleasant, or act in a way that we then regret, yet embrace them fully when they seem to lead us to happiness or contentment.

We are pushed and driven by our hormonal and chemical shifts.  They aggressively coerce action from our bodies, and propel us to take risks and make somewhat foolish decisions.  They are so powerful, that they even force change in our bodies, against our will, that we must simply endure.   Yet they also drive us to immense pleasures, and incredible gratifications.

Within us, persists an unblockable, unendable flow of thoughts and ruminations.  We manage thoughts whose origins cause use incredible puzzlement.  We deal with ideas that seem inane and laughable.  We wonder at the thoughts that cause us to sense things emotionally, or physically.  And yet it is our thoughts, that are the building block for understanding, and framing our reality.

What must we do, when these become a hurricane upon the ocean inside of us?

Is the only solution, to hold on for dear life, trying to stay level?

For some, that is the best answer.

However, unlike the literal storm that batters the sailboat, we have much more power over that which is inside of us.

When we recognize that the external forces are beyond our control, and realize that what is inside is within our control, we can focus on what we truly desire. Then, we simply point our vessel towards the goal, set the sails, and let the winds carry us forward.

The sailboat cannot move without wind and water, and we, are not human beings without our thoughts, hormones, and emotions.

Master the tempest inside of you, and you will have the ability to navigate the world in the most free, unhindered, and gratifying way.

Humbly yours,

J