THE LIGHTHOUSE VS. THE TUG BOAT

YEARS AGO, I HEARD THE STORY OF THE LIGHTHOUSE AND TUGBOAT. SINCE HEARING THE STORY, I’VE USED IT IN MY DECISION MAKING PROCESS. SO MUCH SO THAT I’VE TATTOOED A LIGHTHOUSE ON MY ARM SO THAT I CAN SEE IT AS A DAILY REMINDER.

THE LIGHTHOUSE AND THE TUGBOAT BOTH SERVE THE SAME PURPOSE: THEY SAVE SHIPS.

THE TUGBOAT WILL CRUISE OUT FROM SHORE TO SHIP AND BACK, REPEATEDLY. WHETHER ITS PROVIDING MAINTENANCE TO THE BOAT OR TOWING THE SHIP BACK TO SHORE, THE TUGBOAT RECEIVES WEAR AND TEAR. OVER TIME, THE TUGBOAT WILL NEED MAINTENANCE OF ITS OWN: ITS MOTOR WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED, NEW OPERATING TEAMS, AND UPDATES TO ITS TOOLS NEEDED TO DO ITS JOB. ITS JOB ACTUALLY FORCES ONE TO QUESTION ITS LONGEVITY TO REPEATEDLY DO SUCH BIG, IMPORTANT JOBS.

HOWEVER, THE LIGHTHOUSE HAS ONE JOB: IT STANDS IN ONE SPOT AND SHINES ITS LIGHT!

THIS IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE OVER TIME, THE LIGHTHOUSE WILL ABSORB LESS COST TO KEEP ITSELF OPERATING SUCCESSFULLY THAN THE TUGBOAT WILL TO PERFORM THE SAME ESSENTIAL JOB.

THE LIGHTHOUSE SIMPLY PROVIDES A GUIDING LIGHT FOR SHIPS TO BETTER NAVIGATE DARK, MURKY WATERS. THERE IS MINIMAL STRESS PUT ONTO A LIGHTHOUSE. IT IS ACTUALLY THE DECISION OF THE SHIP TO EITHER IGNORE OR BE ADVISED BY THE LIGHT PROVIDED BY THE LIGHTHOUSE.

AS A RESULT, A LIGHTHOUSE OUTLIVES THE TUGBOAT AND HELPS MANY MORE SHIPS.

I BELIEVE IN THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS STORY BECAUSE I THINK IT APPLIES TO OUR LIVES AND THE DECISIONS WE MAKE FOR OURSELVES DAILY.

WHEN FACED WITH A HARD DECISION, WE CAN SIMPLY ASK OURSELVES, IS THIS A LIGHTHOUSE OR TUGBOAT MOMENT AND WHICH ROLE WILL I CHOOSE TO PLAY?

WILL YOU CHOOSE TO BE THE TUGBOAT? IF SO, YOU MUST BE PREPARED TO FEEL THE PRESSURE AND STRESS THAT FOLLOWS.

OR WILL YOU CHOOSE THE LIGHTHOUSE? SIMPLY SHINING YOUR LIGHT, GIVING ALL THE KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU CAN OFFER, ULTIMATELY ALLOWING YOUR ENVIRONMENT TO RESPOND TO YOU!

THINK OF CHALLENGING RELATIONSHIPS IN YOUR LIFE. WE’VE ALL HAD A FRIEND, FAMILY MEMBER OR CO-WORKER THAT YOU EXPECT TO BE ON AN INEVITIBLE PATH TOWARD DESTRUCTION. HOW DID YOU NAVIGATE?

IF YOU ARE A DECENT PERSON AND WANT THE BEST FOR OTHERS, YOU NATURALLY WANT TO DO ALL YOU CAN TO HELP THEM. AND THIS IS ADMIRABLE!

BUT IF WE ARE OVERBEARING, WORRYING OURSELVES SICK OVER SAVING SOMEONE ELSES SHIP, COULD IT BE THAT WE GIVE LESS CARE TO OURSELVES AND OTHERS THAT WE LOVE? EVENTUALLY BREAK DOWN WILL OCCUR AND MAITENANCE WILL BE NEEDED – JUST LIKE THE TUGBOAT?

OR COULD THE BETTER OPTION BE TO TALK TO THE PERSON IN NEED, EDUCATE THEM, SHOW THEM CARE AND SUPPORT, BUT ULTIMATELY LEAVE IT UP TO THEM AND THEIR OWN CHOICES TO EITHER TAKE YOU UP ON YOUR OFFER FOR HELP, OR IGNORE YOUR GENEROSITY AND CRASH INTO THE ROCKS BELOW?

FOR ME, I CHOOSE TO BE THE LIGHTHOUSE. TO SHINE MY LIGHT. BY DOING SO I CAN HAVE A BIGGER IMPACT.

SHINE YOUR LIGHT, UNAPOLOGETICALLY.