There’s a parable about a drowning man who claims God will save him, and refuses any ships that offer to help. After he dies, he asks God why he was left to drown, to which God replies he sent a bunch of ships.
Personally, I think there’s a more insidious version of the parable. Instead of drowning, the man is stuck on a dreary island, complaining that God won’t help him. So instead of dying, the man falls in love with negativity and complaint, and dismisses any ships that might take away his reason to rail at the greater world. Subsequently, he lives his whole life on that island, isolated from adventure, potential, and joy.
I don’t think belief in God is a requirement to get off the island. Just take some ships, and even if they don’t take me where I want to go, I can a chart a course with what I learn along the way.
Dirty Sci-Fi Buddha 
Hear, hear! You are on to something. You have to find joy and adventure in the small things.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good points.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree 100 percent
LikeLiked by 1 person
They also say, “God helps those who help themselves.” So I would suggest, don’t let a good ship pass you by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thats a great perspective…interesting version of the parable 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post. We so often act like the man on the desert island. Take those ships!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely! I’ve done it myself and seen it in friends. Over time, I realized it wasn’t helping.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“You cannot wake a person who is pretending to be asleep.” – Navajo
LikeLiked by 2 people
Life sails along much better when we avoid “missing the boat.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very well put!
LikeLike
I love the way you reimagined the parable to highlight the danger of falling into negativity and complaining, and how it can trap us on a dreary island of our own making. It’s easy to get caught up in our problems and convince ourselves that nothing can help us, but it’s important to remember that there are always opportunities and resources available to us, even if they don’t look the way we expect them to. By being open-minded and willing to take chances, we can chart a course towards a brighter future, one ship at a time. Thanks for sharing this insightful perspective!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly! I’ve often been pleasantly surprised by something seemingly inconsequential or negative. Sometimes it takes a while, but I’ve come to realize everything good doesn’t need to happen at once.
LikeLike
Such a good story – one we all need to hear. Thank you.
Gwen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
This works so much better. I was letting things hold me back complaining, and that’s how I missed a bunch of ships. Excellent way of looking at things my friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person