As I stood by the lake, gazing into the still water, I found myself entranced by the reflections staring back at me. The surface was calm, yet beneath it, depths I could not see or fathom. It was a moment of clarity, a reminder of the profound truths that often go unnoticed in the rush of life.
Too often, I’m tempted to “boil the ocean,” to try to do everything, fix everything, and be everything to everyone. But in those moments of reflection, it becomes clear that this is not just impossible — it is also unnecessary. Attempting to boil the ocean is an exercise in futility. It spreads us too thin, drains our energy, and ultimately distances us from what truly matters.
I realized that in trying to do too much, I was at risk of losing myself. It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of expectations, deadlines, and demands. The world pulls us in so many directions, whispering that we need to do more, achieve more, be more. But in trying to be everything, we can end up being nothing — losing the essence of who we are in the process.
Instead, I choose to prioritize. To stay focused. The lake’s reflection taught me that it’s not about the quantity of what we do, but the quality. It’s about knowing what matters most and unwaveringly staying true to that. For me, that begins and ends with family.
Family is my anchor, my grounding force in a world that often feels unsteady. When I prioritize family, I am reminded of why I do everything else. They are the reason I strive, the reason I push forward. But they are also the reason I pause, take a breath, and reflect. It is through family that I find my purpose and my sense of self.
To never attempt to boil the ocean means to recognize and accept our limitations. It means focusing on the few things that truly matter, rather than scattering our energy across the endless possibilities that life presents. It is about depth, not breadth.
In staying true to what matters most, I find strength. I find clarity. And most importantly, I find peace. The lake’s surface may be calm, but it holds depths that I may never fully understand. So, too, does life. But by staying focused on my priorities, by not losing sight of who I am and what is most important, I can navigate those depths with confidence and grace.
As I walked away from the lake, I carried with me a renewed sense of purpose. I will not attempt to boil the ocean, but I will stay true to my course. I will focus on what truly matters, and in doing so, I will stay true to myself. Family first, always. Everything else will follow.