Stay afloat

 “Belinda Belinda ”…eii who knows me here in this market and who could that be? I turned only to see my frenemy, Dominic, from waaay back. He came to grab some food for his dog. We asked each other about life, work, further studies and everything in between. He, like many of my peers, agrees that adulting is not easy.

In our fast-paced world, there are many more expectations of us and pressure we put on ourselves. He recalled how most of us thought we would continue with certain programmes after our first degree. We both reflected on how the lashes of life have reoriented the majority of us.

relax to stay afloat

“Belinda, it’s really hard. It feels like you are drowning. However, you know that you are not the only one”. This hit me hard. I don’t know how relieving it is to know you are not the only one. Yet, from my experience while taking swimming lessons, and the near-death experiences I thought I had, I was convinced of how terrible drowning must be. The fear of drowning usually makes one desperate to grab onto anything just to fight for dear life or relax to stay afloat.

Either way, it requires you to do something. Some have mastered the art of swimming, others haven’t but they can survive. Then there is the category that still feel they are powerless against the water even when it’s at ankle level; even then, it feels like they are drowning.

In this vast ocean of life, we find ourselves in different categories. Even for the same category, we are all at different levels.  Some are still figuring out whether to go back to school, to continue in the same career path or change, get married now or later. For others, the vision is clear but it feels we are all alone. 

Perhaps if we had some help, some seed money or capital, someone to partner with, a mentor, etc. And yet, others who feel they are too old to still be struggling with certain things. Society says you can’t be 30 and still not know if you want A or B, if you’d rather stay here or there. Why are you this age and not married? 30+ and no minimum of X amount of money in your account etc.

Your lifeguard not only walks on water, He also commands the winds and the waves and they obey Him

You are drowning in the pressure and expectations society has placed on you. Hang on. Stay afloat. God has a unique path for you but while you should know you are not alone; everyone’s lifeguard comes in differently but always on time. Comparison then, may lead to drowning in shallow water while trying to copy the tactics of one in deep waters. Remember, the buoyancy at each level differs.

Don’t drown dear friend. Just hold on! Your lifeguard not only walks on water, He also commands the winds and the waves and they obey Him.