I am blessed to spend much of the Winter season near the Atlantic seaboard. Yesterday’s sunrise surf brought in several Portuguese Men of War. These beautiful but sometimes deadly creatures, shared with me their story.
The Portuguese Man of War is a unique species. They do not have arms or a mouth to capture food, nor do they have legs to move about. Their survival depends on two things: one is their ability to group together and work collectively, and the other is that they inflate their bodies in order to more easily submit to the currents of the wind and sea. When they work together, they do not appear to depend on a specific leader, but rather they collectively submit to trusting that Life will guide and protect them.
As I observed their beauty, I thanked them for sharing with me their unique way of living. I reflected on the benefits of being a part of such a cohesive and trusting group. Then I heard their other important message: “Trust in the Sea of Life! The Divine Creator has mapped out a unique path intended just for you. TRUST, trust the winds and currents of Life to take you there. This path is yours and yours alone. It will nourish your own unique heart and soul.”
Later that day I was reminded about these words of Rumi,
“Live life as though everything has been rigged in your favor!”