On the heels of an intense weeklong mastermind retreat with my mentor, I was ambling along the Atlantic coast deep in thought when suddenly I felt the strong pull of the ocean beneath my feet. I’d started out at the water’s edge, just where the salty water gently lapped over my toes, but I became so lost in thought that I didn’t notice a shift in the water.
At first a wave of panic coursed through my body. As much as I love being at the ocean, I’m not so keen about being in it. Not a swimmer, I stood temporarily frozen in fear with the water almost at my knees when I felt my feet still firmly rooted on solid sand. I realized the undertow couldn’t pull me in unless I surrendered my power to it. I took a deep breath and knew that it would take only several certain steps to return to higher ground where I’d be completely safe.
As I continued walking with greater mindfulness of where I stepped, I reflected on how this brief, very visceral encounter offered a perfect reflection of situations in which we frequently find ourselves throughout life.
The feelings of vulnerability, fear and panic were not new to me; I’ve felt them countless times in my forty-something years, and I’ll surely continue to encounter them throughout the journey of claiming the authentic story of my life.
The key this time was that I’d recognized my power to direct the outcome of my circumstances in the moment. I resisted the undertow and exercised my power to step out of the situation.
The next time you feel like the sand is giving out beneath your feet, pause and remember the inherent power within you.
Resist the undertow. Stand firmly in what you know to be the truth of your limitless potential to step through any circumstances and claim the authentic story of your life.
