Quote 'A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor' Explained
I was recently reminded of the above famous quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd president of the United States. I had been speaking with a friend about the challenges that we each were facing during the pandemic. The meaning of this favorite quote really got me thinking.
One thing I realised was how life quotes such as this aren’t heard as often as they used to be. These comforting words and phrases that came from wise people from previous generations are slowly being forgotten by modern-day society. So what does the ‘smooth seas never made a skilled sailor’ quote actually mean?
Understanding The Deeper Meaning
This old nautical proverb may seem simplistic at first, but when applied to the current challenges any of us have in life, it can give a profound amount of comfort.
In this ‘skilled sailor’ quote, the sea represents life itself. When the sea is smooth, this indicates that everything in life is ‘going to plan’. Maybe everything within your relationship, your friendships, family life and career are sailing along peacefully from one day to the next.
Often, the sea is calm with only small waves in sight. We feel the waves beneath us, life may even feel relaxing, but the ‘smooth seas’ don’t always offer us many challenges or opportunities for growth. Perhaps we could even be missing growth and adventure?
When the sea is calm and we, as sailors, are sitting still, we’re not moving or growing in life, but simply existing in it. The truth is, none of us are here to simply exist, and through being honest with ourselves, we begin to see that we crave more than just a calm sea.
Why We Experience Stormy Times at Sea
The sea is unpredictable, just like life. The waves can pick up at any moment unexpectedly, and things can quickly take a turn for the worse. When life provides anything but a smooth sea, skilled sailors are needed to navigate the way through the storm.
These challenging situations force us to either sink or swim. Yet, even in the most difficult of storms, we never drown - even when we feared we would. This instils us with yet more wisdom for future storms. And then suddenly, often to our own surprise, the waters calm down again, and we make it through.
Navigating our own seas
The human experience will always bring its own lessons. The sea (life) is what makes us wise and strong during tough times. We can enjoy the moments when the sea is calm, knowing that our strength, resilience and life experience will pull us through when times become tough again.
If you feel inspired by the ‘smooth seas’ quote too, and want support in trusting in your own life lessons, spiritual coaching can offer you a safe space to focus your attention on building your resilience and self-trust. Get in touch today to discover how we can work together to tap into your infinite wisdom.
Gareth Michael