The Tao of Treading

On the news the other day I saw the story of a man who  had fallen off of his boat. He treaded water for upwards of 8 hours until help finally arrived. Many times he saw boats passing  or a helicopter flying overhead  but they couldn't find him in the waves.  Discouraged, he considered giving up and allowing himself to sink down into the abyss, exhausted and frustrated that he would perish out in the open but not in plain sight. I can only imagine the thoughts that went through his mind as he paddled and prayed and the hours ticked away.

Right now I feel as though I am  treading waters of my own.   I see things changing around me for other people, but I can't seem to, for the llife of me, be a part of it.   I am not moving forward but I certainly can't go back and the realization that I'm out here, wherever "here" is, is sinking in.   I have to encourage myself,  sculling my hands, egg beating my feet, and stretching my neck  to keep my head above water spying for that beacon, that search light on the horizon.

 Do you ever feel like that?   'Like there is a hole in your boat and you only have a spoon. 'Like one more gulp of water and you will go under?  'Like you are just getting by?   Are you treading water, too?

Here's the thing: As lonely, desperate and exhausting as it is there is Tao  (tao: source, path, route) in treading.  As weak as you may feel,  if you can tread, you have power, you can think, you have a will.  If you can tread you ARE moving forward because staying above is not falling below. If you are treading, know that not everyone can do what you're doing

right now.and many give up and fall away just before relief comes.  If you are treading today understand that there are people waiting for you, you may not have even met them yet but they are treading  too and hopeful that someone  (You)  will come along and give them a hand up.  Don't disappoint them; don't disappoint yourself.  This may be taking longer than either of us expected, but we are not drowning - keep treading. 

Look!  There's a light in the distance......and  it's getting closer.