When the seas get rough Dory says “just keep swimming”. What if you don’t have the energy to swim anymore? What if the effort to keep swimming is just too much for you right now? How do you keep your head above water? You float. You give your body a second to rest and you just float. Sometimes all you need is a second, sometimes a few minutes, and sometimes you need to float for days.

There are stretches of time where everything seems to go wrong. Bills pile up, your dog needs surgery, you have to pay for drivers ed, your dog needs a second surgery because the first one didn’t work, car tags are due, insurance is due, meltdowns happen night after night…everything piles up. All at once. Sometimes it seems like there is no end in sight. You feel like you will be floating forever.

Then something happens. A friend from work shares a kind word, your best friend listens and lets you vent without passing judgement, your child gets her permit, your son rocks a job interview. Your little is able to handle some big changes at school that you are so proud of.

When swimming you focus on the rough water and what moves to make to get through it to safety. Out of breath, sore muscles, exhausted, and blind to where to go. Everything looks the same and you feel lost. I think just floating lets you not only rest, but gives you the opportunity to pause and really see what is good. Your muscles relax, your breathing slows and you recharge and are able to see the way to land. To the good. To your safety.

When you feel lost, take a minute to just float.