For years, my mother held onto a story that has guided my life. She would say, “A ship is not built to be strong and glorious while sitting in safe harbours. It is built to withstand the fiercest storms.” At first, I thought this was just a metaphor for resilience. But over time, I’ve realized it’s a powerful truth about our purpose and how we navigate the world.
As a crisis manager and counsellor, I’ve seen more than my fair share of storms. Drawing on sociological, psychological, and marketing principles, my work often involves stepping into messy, complicated situations. Over the years, I’ve had colleagues and peers advise me to care less. “Why do you bother?” they’d ask. “Some people and communities will never change. Why exhaust yourself over issues that seem more pain than gain?”
In a way, I understood their perspective. It can be disheartening to work with individuals or groups who resist change or whose progress feels agonizingly slow. There have been countless moments when I’ve thought about retreating to safer, simpler work—sticking with clients and communities that align with my wavelength, leaving those with inflated egos and unyielding systems to figure it out themselves.
But here’s the thing: I can’t.
When it comes to community well-being, something in me refuses to stay anchored in safe harbours. I’ve learned that growth, transformation, and progress are rarely easy. They demand persistence, patience, and a willingness to face storms head-on. The ship of our lives wasn’t designed to sit still in calm waters but to navigate turbulent seas, building strength with every challenge.
While it’s true that every storm leaves me tired, it also leaves me stronger. Each struggle adds to my collection of stories, wisdom, and tools for navigating humanity’s storms. These experiences have taught me not just how to survive but how to thrive in adversity—and how to help others do the same.
As the New Year approaches, I find myself reflecting on this lesson and sharing it with you. Wherever you are, whatever storm you’re facing, know this: you weren’t built to stay in the safety of the harbour. Life’s storms may seem overwhelming, but they are also where you will find your strength, your purpose, and your most profound growth.
A Final Story
Years ago, I worked with a community group seeking to revive the reputation of a fractured community. Mistrust and division ran so deep that even initiating a conversation seemed impossible. Some days felt like endless setbacks. I remember one older woman who had lived through generations of this strife. She once said to me, “Nothing will ever change here. We’ve learned to live with our brokenness.”
But my peers and I didn’t give up. We kept working—building trust, fostering dialogue, and introducing small, actionable changes to the place. Over time, small victories began to add up. The place’s reputation began to change.
Some time ago, the same elderly woman approached me. “Maybe we’re not as broken as I thought,” she said with a small smile.
That moment reminded me of why I do what I do. The storms are hard, yes. But they also reveal the resilience and beauty in ourselves and others.
So as you face this new year, don’t hesitate to steer your ship into the storm. You were built for this. And on the other side of the tempest, you’ll find not just survival, but transformation.
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