There’s a common expression: “Whatever floats your boat.”
I thought of it this week because we read in the Torah the story of Noah’s Ark. Everyone knows the story of Noah’s Ark, it’s one of those very well-known Bible stories.
According to the Urban Dictionary this modern expression means: Whatever you feel like doing. Wiktionary says: Whatever makes you happy or stimulates you.
What keeps your boat afloat despite the turbulent and challenging waters of life? What keeps us from sinking? This is not a physics question or a boat-building issue. Instead it’s asking: What floats your boat – What motivates you? What picks you up when you are down? What gets you going? What gives you the strength and courage to overcome obstacles and challenges? What gives your the drive and ambition and desire? What powers you? What uplifts you? This question is about spiritual and emotional buoancy, inner drive and motivation.
Now, let me make this clear: “Whatever” will not float your boat. If you just go with the flow, or whatever makes you happy, or whatever you feel like doing – it will be very hard to stay above water.
Now that we’re reading the story of Noah’s Ark – it’s a good time to ask ourselves, “What floats my boat?” Give it some thought. It matters!
—-
Thanks to Josh C.S. for adding the following thought:
The expression is said in 2nd person: Whatever floats YOUR boat. This is because each of us have our own personal motivation and inspiration, what floats my boat may not float yours. But whatever that may be, it can’t be whatever. It has to be something powerful, meaningful and focused.
Because, whatever won’t float your boat.