I’ve always found peace in the steady rhythm of my paddle as it cuts through the water. The gentle sway of the river beneath my canoe has been a comforting companion on days when life seems a little too overwhelming. But I’ll never forget one summer afternoon when the tranquility of the river was interrupted by the roar of a fast-approaching speedboat.
The boat’s wake churned the water, sending a series of waves rippling toward me. My instinct was to turn the canoe away from the oncoming waves, to avoid the unsettling rise and fall. But then I remembered a lesson from my days as a young camper. My canoe instructor’s voice, calm and sure, echoed in my mind: “Always point your bow (front of canoe or paddle board) directly toward the waves.”
At first, it seemed counterintuitive. Why would I head straight into something that looked like it would topple me? But I recalled the wisdom behind those words. If I turned away, the waves would hit the side of my canoe with full force, rocking it violently and increasing the risk of flipping over. But if I faced them head-on, I’d feel the waves’ power, yes, but they’d pass more quickly, leaving me in calm waters once again.
So, I adjusted my paddle, turned the canoe to face the waves, and braced myself. The first wave lifted me up, and I had a brief moment of tension as I rode its crest. The second wave followed, then the third. Each one seemed a little less intense than the last, and before long, the water smoothed out beneath me. The waves had passed.
As I paddled on, I couldn’t help but draw a parallel between my experience on the river and the emotional waves we all encounter in life. When faced with uncomfortable feelings—anger, sadness, fear—our instinct is often to avoid them, to paddle away in search of smoother waters. So, we try to numb them with food, drugs, or work, or we suppress them, pushing the feelings down and pretending they don’t exist. Sometimes, we even project these emotions onto others, blaming them for our inner turmoil. But I’ve learned that the key to emotional resilience was often counterintuitive, and to choose to do the opposite: to face those feelings directly, to observe them without resistance.
Just like the waves on the river, emotions often pass more quickly when we acknowledge them, allow ourselves to feel them fully, and trust that they will subside. It might be uncomfortable at first, but leaning into those feelings, rather than turning away, can transform them into a source of strength.
So the next time life sends a wave your way, remember the lesson of the canoe: Point your bow (front of canoe or paddle board) toward the waves. Ride them out. In just a few minutes, you’ll find yourself in calmer waters once again.
If you have a strong desire to transform your outdated subconscious beliefs and suffering into peace and joy, then I invite you to read and watch the blog I prepared for you called How to Develop Emotional Mastery & Resilience: The NAC Approach