Out in the ocean, waves may vary in intensity and volume; however one thing is common, they all come in series of 8-9 waves. This pattern is what surfers study and wait for to ride the perfect one.

Our daily environment is structured in a similar manner; our daily challenges, obstacles, encounters, meetings and relationships are the waves in which we swim. They also come in pattern, in various intensities and volume. Just like a surfer, we need to choose carefully the waves on which we take off, the ones we duck dive under, and finally the ones we bail and observe being washed out at a distance.

Human beings, in their nature, are afraid of the uncertain. As a result, we end up stuck between the waves of life, being held down or washed out to shore.
Ask yourself: Can you do something about it?
If the answer is no, you need to accept that you cannot control the situation.

1. Bail

In fact, we have almost no power over what happens around us, only how we react. From this point forward, what we do will define our position in regard to the situation:This is a common and easy solution. Bailing out is simply letting go and watching the problem wash out by itself. It requires no energy from our side, and very little intention.
Deciding to bail comes from two main incentives:
-The lack of skills in response to the situation
-The absence of relevance to our goal.

If the wave you are facing, or the situation that you find yourself in does not serve you and advance you or your cause in any way, then there is absolutely no point in spending time, energy and resources on trying to ride it.

2. Duck dive

On the contrary to bailing, duck diving is addressing the situation with a clear intention. It is having the will to look at the problem and snake around it in the smoothest and safest way possible.
This decision comes from your ability to face the cause and the consequences of the situation, and your belief in advancing your character and skills.
Duck diving might be a way out of the problem, but it is not surrender, it takes power, energy and will.

3. Taking off

Life will throw waves at you that are strong in intensity, large in volume and powerful enough to keep you going. These are the waves that you want to take, the waves that surfers wait for. Taking off requires confidence in one’s self and the skills to tackle the challenge and surf the journey.
To take off you will have to believe that this wave will bring you closer to your goal. Understand that you might fall a few times, but this will not damage you, but will only take you back to square one.
It will be hard, and it might look impossible at the beginning, but your will and your confidence will help you stand tall and ride the challenge.

At the end of each scenario, your decision will help you gain maturity, experience and skills: Bailing will feed your maturity in deciding where to invest your energy. Duck diving will arm you with experience to learn and pick your battles. And finally, taking off will grant you skills and bring you closer towards achieving your goal.
Which is it going to be?