The more hectic our lives are, the more we need to focus.
'King Tides' are a non-scientific term to describe a natural phenomenon that causes the lowest and highest tides of the year. They are caused by the gravitational pull of the sun and the moon when they are aligned closest to the Earth.
They occur all over the world, usually twice annually. Where I live, that is historically in December and January. The lowest tides allow for viewing of marine life that is usually covered by water. The highest tides actually serve as a preview for what our shorelines might look like if ocean levels rise beyond what we currently consider a 'high' tide.
Nature provides an example.
I walk the shore of a large tidal estuary almost daily. While I enjoy the extreme low tides because they uncover things that I don't normally see, the high tides are fascinating to me. While they can bring minor flooding and inconvenience, they also seem to present a stillness and peacefulness as they cover so much land that is normally exposed and full of all kinds of wildlife. It's almost as if a sheet of glass has been laid out to connect the usual water ways over terra firma, where I normally see all manner of small mammals, birds and water fowl hunting for food, preening or just stopping to dry their feathers.
When the tide is high, the birds that swim are still out on the water, but are not as noticeable as on a normal day. They appear dominated by the image that has been created by the reflection of what is in the sky, onto the water. I also feel overshadowed, as if I am in the middle of a giant watercolor painting. Or in one of those frustratingly difficult 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzles! The sight is almost overwhelming. It's quite vast and seems to go on and on.
Looking straight out to the Bay, the land is miles away off in the distance. It's easy to almost lose your bearings and be able to tell where the water ends and the sky begins. The water is mostly shallow and on days when there is no wind and the tide is at peak, the water doesn't move. There are no waves from the wind and no motion of the current. It almost leaves you a bit unsettled unless you keep your eyes on the horizon.
Never lose sight of your own horizon.
I am struck by the fact that life can be the same way. We can become distracted by all that is around us. We can almost feel insignificant and alone from information overload and the sheer volume of things that need to get done in a day, month or year. Whether in our business or in our personal lives, it's easy to become confused and overwhelmed if we don't stay focused on what's important to us, by writing in a journal, being part of an accountability group or talking with a trusted friend or counselor.
Whether In our personal lives, our business, or in a job, whatever it takes to move us towards our goals, it’s important to remember to stay focused on our own horizon.