Row your boat
Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.
We’ve all heard of this fun children’s rhyme, but have we stopped to realize the powerful meaning behind it. This nursery rhyme gives us the message of life: the path we should take, the simplicity and the joy associated with life.
The first line, row, row, row your boat, essentially implies that you must take care of yourself. How often is it that our parents, our loved ones, friends, and co-workers try to steer our boat. Or better yet have you found yourself to control the lives of others? Personally, I love to give advice to my siblings, realizing only later that they must live the experience themselves before they understand deeper life lessons.
The second line simply implies that there is no need to push against the currents in life. It is imperative to go gently with the flow. We have been taught at a young age to compete with others in high school, college, professional school, or work. This competitiveness results in increased anxiety, frustration, and stress. It’s the constant push against the world that makes people unhappy.
This takes us to the third line, merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily. Life is meant to be joyful and wonderful. If you row your boat gently down the stream, the result is happiness. Life, itself, is a miracle which creates the merry feeling within us. Take the opportunity to ask yourself these simple questions:
- Are you taking care of your needs?
- Do you steer other people’s boats?
- Are you blissfully happy?
Because in the end, life is but a dream. Make this an amazing dream! Be creative. I invite you to mend your boat and set sail because you are on a graceful ride of your life.