5 Life Philosophies Learned from The Deadly Sea

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Note: This is a guest post from Jacob Mojiwat

Being at sea for long periods of time can be isolating. You cannot access the Internet or reach your friends and family at a moments notice, but there is something wonderful about being out in a world that is just you, your crew, your boat, and the elements.

I find that many of the principles I live by are ideas that I formed while I was out on these adventures, away from civilization. Here are the main ideas that I’ve been contemplating lately, and find to be truly relevant in day-to-day life;

1. Sometimes you have to swim against the current if you want to get to where you are going.

   There are so many times in life when it feels as though everything is going wrong. They say bad luck comes in threes, but all too often it comes in a tidal wave, or at least a swiftly flowing current that feels as though it will wash us away. It is hard to swim against that current.

   It would be so much easier, and more peaceful, to drift along with it. Maybe it would be easier to take a job that I don’t like rather than to keep struggling to make ends meet, while applying again and again for jobs that I truly want.

   Maybe it would be easier to stay in a relationship that my friends and family approve of, with a partner who is financially secure, rather than getting involved with someone I am passionate about who also happens to live a life on the margins of society, struggling to get by.

   Maybe it would be easier to easier to heat up a frozen pizza and spend the evening watching TV, rather than exercising and cooking a healthy meal afterwards.

   The thing is, though, that if I drift with that current, it will wash me out to sea. Maybe I was hoping
   to explore a coral reef. Maybe I wanted to take some underwater photos. Maybe I just needed to get
   back to my boat. The current might be strong and really tugging on me, but at times, if I want to get to where I am going, I have to push back and find the strength in myself to swim against
   the current.

   What always surprises me is that once I start swimming against the current, it is never as
   hard as I thought it would be. It isn’t a backbending effort. Instead, it’s liberating and exhilarating to accomplish something that I set my mind, and body, to do.

2. At sea, it’s best to wear a life jacket.

   Life jackets are important. They can save your life. We may think we don’t need a life jacket though. I’ve gone boating many times with people who told me they were strong swimmers but that the life jackets were too much of a nuisance. I just ignore them and tell them to wear the life jackets anyway. Why would I do that? I’m an independent thinker and I believe in swimming against the current. Why insist on a life jacket?

   Because life happens, that’s why. You can’t really predict the weather. Even a strong swimmer can get hit on the head or faint or get sick. Likewise in life, at sea or on land, we all need an emergency plan.

   Especially if you, like myself, believe in swimming against the current. If you’ve done something that nobody in your support network of friends and family approves of, then you have to be ready to go it alone. And that means planning ahead and taking precautions.

   Don’t live beyond your means and always set aside a little money for emergencies. Find a good friend or family member who you trust to be your emergency contact, in case you need help suddenly.

   Think ahead about the various ways in which life could take an unexpected turn and plan ways to cushion the impact when it does. I can’t predict the weather, but I can guarantee you one thing – life happens. And when it does, you’ll be better off if you’ve anticipated the unexpected.

3. The fishing is better after a storm.

   I love storms. The more thunder and lightning, the better. But there are times in life when we go through storms that are not exciting or fun. Storms that are more like hurricanes or tornadoes, that come through our life and wreck ourplans for the future, leaving us marooned, stranded, or adrift.

   I can’t tell you that there’s anything enjoyable about going through a life storm, whether it’s a physical and meteorological storm, or an emotional, financial, or occupational storm. But you know what they say about weather; if you don’t like it, be patient because it will always change.

   Once the storm is over, you can walk on the beach and pick up unusual seashells, or you can go fishing. If you can simply take time to relish the calm and be open to possibility, your intuition will guide you to something new and wonderful.

4. There is something to be said for “no wake” zones.

   Nobody likes having to slow down. We all want to get to where we are going and in a hurry, in possible. This is particularly relevant to me as I am often running late. But in a no wake zone, we have to slow down – a lot.

   I guess this is what city people experience when they get stuck in rush hour traffic. It’s what athletes experience when they have an injury. It’s what parents experience when they have to stay home with sick kids and cannot go to work. Like it or not, you have to slow down.

   If you have to slow down, whether you like it or not, then you might as well try to find peace with it. I’m not a Pollyanna or even an optimist, particularly. In fact, I can be as pessimistic as they come. But at sea you have to be practical and budget your resources.

   If you are in a situation where you are forced to slow down and take some time, then it makes sense to budget that time to rest and renew your spirit. Later, when you are rushing forward and desperately trying to make up time, you won’t be able to rest.

   Rest, meditate, and take time to enjoy life when you can, or you will burn yourself out. Humans are not perpetual motion machines so we need to take time to do our own routine maintenance. Otherwise, you’ll blow agasket later on when you don’t have time for it

5. Even with a flashlight, you can only see so far ahead.

   My underwater camera has a flash that will allow me to take pictures even when it is very dark, but even with a flash, you can only see a certain well-defined area within the circle of light. Beyond that, there is nothing but inky blackness.

   In fact, using a flashlight to try to see better makes it easier to see the area right in front of you, but
   makes it harder to see into the distance.

   Sometimes that is true in life as well. We all get lost or off track at times, even with GPS. Wise seamen know that even if you don’t know where you are, you are somewhere. Don’t panic – if a storm comes up, do what you have to and ride it out.

   Being prepared beforehand will keep you better off if you find yourself in the dark. Eventually you will find your way out again, so don’t be afraid.

I truly believe that living these principles of the sea in everyday life, is the key to success. Slow down, be prepared, and when the unexpected happens, you’ll be ready for it.

Jacob Mojiwat is passionate about sharing the wonders of scuba diving with others. He is the owner of AsiaDivingVacation.com. His dive company
takes divers diving in Sipadan Malaysia as well at other Asia dive destinations.