Row, row, row your boat
A timeless metaphor for life
Most of us have heard the classic nursery rhyme, Row, row, row your boat. Though its origins remain uncertain, the poem was popularized by Eliphalet Oram Lyte in 1852. At first glance, it seems like a simple children’s song, but beneath its playful melody lies a profound philosophy of how to live life that can stand the test of time.
The poem goes as follows:
In a few short lines, this poem encapsulates a graceful approach to our pursuits in life. It simply urges us to keep rowing by taking steady actions in a gentle manner. Life itself will be merry along the stream. By simply pursuing this journey, life unfolds as a dream.
Applying This to Life’s Key Pursuits
This simple analogy can be applied to all aspects of life, whether it be health, wealth, relationships, career, or our deepest desires.
Health - we all know deep within us that 30 minutes of exercise on a daily basis will provide a level of activeness and wellbeing that will hold us in good stead as we age. Just like rowing the boat, exercising for 30 minutes every day in a gentle manner reduces the strain along the stream without exhausting ourselves. Performing this act will bring happiness once it becomes persistently part of the routine with the rewards unfolding naturally. Life is a dream, when well-being is nurtured with ease.
Wealth - we all know that investing a portion of income in the long term will lead to wealth creation over the long term. Just like rowing the boat, we can invest a portion of the income into steady long historical successful investments that gives us comfort whilst we go along the stream. This simple action brings great happiness in our material pursuits as we merrily go along the stream, as long as it becomes persistently part of the routine. Life is a dream, when financial wellness flows in harmony.
Relationships - we all know that relationships form a key pillar to us moving ahead in our life. Just like rowing the boat, spending quality time with our family, friends and our mastermind group brings happiness in our life, as long as it becomes persistently part of the routine. Life is a dream, when relationships are cultivated with care.
Career - the career we choose occupies the largest portion of our life. Choosing a career that aligns with our internal self is a journey towards fulfillment. Just like rowing the boat, purposefully taking actions in career is liberating as long as we remain unbound by the results. The results are unbound, as the purpose is larger than life itself. This brings great joy and happiness within us. Life is a dream, when purpose is unbound by the results.
Navigating Life’s Waves
Life is a dream, when we make the right choices.
“Rowing harder doesn’t help if the boat is headed in the wrong direction.” - Kenichi Ohmae
The reality is life can be simple, when we make it simple.
Simply it comes down to how gently and purposefully we row the boat down the stream. We can dip our oars deep into water with full strokes, that are deliberate, have intent and purpose, propelling us gently down the stream with grace. Or we take small unfocused strokes without intent, that barely moves the boat, causing dissatisfaction within us, as we are unsure of our direction. When clarity of purpose is a clear as water, we can see the depth of deepest oceans.
The boat may get rocked with the heavy waves that come in, but by remaining steady inside the boat, we can see the waves coming from a long way away and maneuver the boat in a manner where we continue on our journey. The universe sends us these waves, to test our patience, so that we can learn to maneuver the challenges of life and grow past our comfort zone to row in deeper challenging waters.
When we row the boat with steady and conscious strokes on the water; purposeful action moves us forward without being weighed down by outcomes.
Gently pursuing our desires without being bound by the result brings happiness and fulfillment, ensuring the boat is not rocked from within. The boat can only be rocked when we are no longer in control from within. The moment we stop rowing the boat is when we have truly lost.
Each stroke of the oar is a choice.
Each stroke holds intention.
Each moment is a chance to realign.
And in that rhythm—steady, conscious, free—life becomes the dream we’re meant to live.
I've often reflected on how deep this rhyme is. Ty for sharing.
This post is lovely. It looks great too. Thanks.