No! We Are Not In The Same Boat!

During the first year of the COVID pandemic a phrase that was casually thrown around was, “We are all in the same boat”.

Over tea, one banal evening, I said the same to my wife and she promptly corrected me.

She said, “No. We all are not in the same boat. We are all in the same storm, but everyone is on a different boat, some are in yachts while others are in row boats.”

It’s been more than 2 years since this conversation, but her response has stayed with me.

I find that it applies to life as well. There is always a storm brewing on some front.

Life has its ups and downs, and is never smooth for a long period of time.

Hurdles appear, resolves are tested, love is taken away, dreams are broken. The ability to endure and overcome these obstacles, struggles, and heartbreaks is different for each of us. Depending on the situation, we may be on a ship, a motor boat or a dinghy. Weathering the storm in each of these would be a very different experience. Similarly, facing our struggles might be easier or harder depending upon the situation.

Everyone deals with their troubles the best way they can.

I may have faced the same storm earlier and survived using my row boat; that does not make me qualified to help someone with a motorboat. I have learnt that even if I recognise somebody’s storm, I am not fully aware of the capacity of their water vessel.

I remind myself that while I may be sailing comfortably, I should not ignore or forget someone who is in troubled waters and is struggling to stay afloat. I also try to be kind to myself when I am the one facing stormy seas.

Sometimes, all it takes is a warm smile, a friendly word, a pat on the back to gather enough courage to persevere.

I am glad that this refreshing perspective, learnt from a simple conversation, has made me a kinder person.

The world needs more kindness and every little bit counts.?