Swim only when the wave comes
When I was young, I went into the ocean with my older cousin. He lived near the beach, while I merely knew how to swim.
We went to the deep to catch some higher waves using our bodies (in Bahia we call this "pegar jacaré", or "catch the alligator").
When we got there, the wind stopped and the stream started pulling us away from the land. After a while, I was very scared and started swimming with all my strength in the opposite direction. But my efforts were much weaker than the stream, so I remained in the same position.
Then my cousin told me: "@mrbig, stop swimming otherwise you'll get tired and drown. Wait for the wave to come. Only swim when it arrives."
And so I did. Minutes later came the wave. I swam. And then another, and another after that. Little by little, by saving our energies and acting at the right times, we arrived at the shore.
And that is the story.
I like the parable feel of this story. Something similar happened to my dad; he nearly drowned, apparently, but made it out alive in a similar way. But I really like your story, the conversational tone of it.
Thanks!
This really is a personal parable for me. I always remember that episode when facing hardships. My cousin told me a valuable lesson.
I'm glad this wave washed up on my shore today. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks!
When we arrived at the shore I realized we were safer than I thought. Our surfer friend had an eye on us, and, had the waves not come, he was ready to rescue us with his board.
But the lesson remains, and so is my admiration for my cousin.
deus abençoe a Bahia
;)