Don’t Rock the Boat!

Do you ever feel like you’re in a boat, trying to make a safe harbor? “Don’t rock the boat” is a saying most of us have heard or used, meaning to just go along with the status quo, don’t say or do anything that might ruffle the waters. At times, this may be a wise thing to do; at times, it is not. Deciding which is which is called discretion.

Is honesty always the best policy? No, I don’t believe it is always. Say, for example, you were in a war zone and a prized possession (or person) was hiding from an enemy. If the enemy asked if you knew its or his location, would you, because you value honesty, give away the hiding place? I hope not.

Or, a friend is wearing a dress that she is very pleased with, but which, in all truthfulness, you think is really ugly, would you be honest and tell her how you feel, resulting in wounding her feelings, or would you find something about her or the dress that is complimentary? 

So many times, going along with the crowd or not rocking the boat does keep the peace, at least temporarily, but is it the best thing in the long run? It’s amazing to me that often only one or two people can influence a decision, simply by being vocal while the majority sit silently, not wanting to rock the boat. Sometimes, rocking the boat is a good thing! All this philosophizing is just a thought that was running through my head on this chilly May morning. And, how is your day going?

Photo by Missy Day Albrecht