"To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim you don't grab hold of the water, because if you do you will sink and drown. Instead, you relax and float"

The essence of the quote is all about trust and letting go. Imagine you're at a pool, and you're learning to swim. If you panic and start flailing around, you're more likely to sink. But if you take a deep breath, trust yourself, and relax, you’ll find that you float effortlessly. It's the same with faith—whether that’s faith in yourself, in a process, or in life in general.

This idea becomes particularly resonant in times of uncertainty or when facing challenges. Think back to the era of the Great Depression. People were losing jobs left and right, and the future seemed grim. Those who managed to keep their faith—whether in themselves or in the system—found ways to adapt and survive. They didn’t thrash about in panic but rather trusted that somehow, they’d float.

Let's bring this down to something a bit more personal and immediate. Picture this: you're standing at the edge of a lake on a summer day. You've never been a strong swimmer. The water looks inviting but also a bit daunting. You remember the times you've flailed and panicked, sinking instead of swimming. But today, you decide to try something different. You wade in, take a deep breath, and just let yourself float. You trust the water to hold you up. And guess what? It does. You’re floating, not because you’re fighting the water, but because you’ve decided to trust it.

So how do you apply this in everyday life? Start by letting go of the need to control every single outcome. It’s not easy, but it’s worth practicing. Maybe you’re anxious about a big presentation at work. Instead of obsessing over every tiny detail, prepare as best as you can and then trust that you’ll handle whatever comes up. Relax into the process. When you trust yourself and let go of the fear, you’re more likely to succeed.

Here’s a relatable story: imagine a young woman named Lucy who’s just started a new job. She’s overwhelmed by the new responsibilities and feels like she’s constantly on the verge of messing up. She tries to control every little thing, staying late, double-checking everyone's work, and she’s exhausted. Then she remembers the swimming analogy. She decides to trust herself to the "water" of her new job. She starts delegating tasks, trusting her team, and accepting that mistakes might happen—but they can be fixed. Slowly but surely, she starts to feel more confident. She’s not just surviving; she’s starting to thrive.

By trusting the process and relaxing into it, we can navigate through life more smoothly. It’s about finding that delicate balance between doing your best and letting go of the outcome. It’s like floating in water—you’re supported, you’re safe, and you’re moving forward. So next time life feels like it’s trying to pull you under, remember to take a deep breath, trust yourself, and float.