When I was a boy, I practically lived in the pool during the summer. I loved to go to the pool and spend the entire afternoon swimming races against the other kids, diving for coins and playing endless games of Marco Polo. Some days, one of the kids would bring a beach ball along to the pool. We amused ourselves by throwing it across the pool toward one another, trying to get the ball to land on their side of the floating lane rope but as far away from an opponent as possible. After a while, we noticed that even if neither one of us caught be ball, it never sank. Soon, our game changed into “sink the ball.” The object of the game was to see who could hold the ball under the water the longest without bursting it. The winner was who ever kept it down the longest. We were determined to keep the ball under the water. No matter how hard we tried, the ball always came up. We held it down under the water and it would go to the one side or the other trying to get past us to return to the surface. The ball always managed to escape one way or another. Even the water seemed to know it didn’t belong and tried to push it up onto the surface. So powerful was the upward push of the ball to thrust itself out of the water that sometimes we even let it go just to watch it come up. The deeper we pushed the ball down, the faster, higher and more explosive was its return to the surface.

In life, it’s easy to feel like that beach ball. Many times, people will see you as a plaything to be tossed about and vollied back and forth at their pleasure. People will try to exert their power over you and make you do what they want; to make you go where they want. Sometimes they even try to push you down and take sport in keeping you subdued “under the water.” In spite of their efforts, there is that same driving force deep within you that will push you out of the water and out of the reach of those who would hold you down and thrust you onward and upward into a better place under the sun.

When you reflect upon the parable of the beach ball, you will find in yourself a way to outsmart the hands that are holding you down. You will find a way to tap into that inner force that drives you upward to a higher plane, and eventually, you will break free from the hands of those who hold you down and will launch yourself out of the water. Your upward rise will be quick, powerful, spectacular and impressive. It will show the world that you are a force to be reckoned with.
That driving force can be found in every human being. It is the indomitable spirit which drives humanity to overcome injustice, to care for the vulnerable and to create objects of beauty. It is the force that inspires men to search out new technology; the force that drives mankind to connect with its past and build a future. It is the force that draws families together and brings men to seek out their creator.

In your life, strive to connect with that inner force. Sometimes you will find yourself in depressing, sad, or even down right oppressive circumstances, but if you remember to look for the good in every circumstance, if you will strive to be answer other’s negative actions with kindness, you will find that inner peace and you will find that your spirit will be set free and you will be launched into a higher state of happiness and peace. Just as the beach ball sped to the surface of the swimming pool when we held it down as kids, your spirit will propel you to a higher, happier, more peaceful plane and those around you will see your light shining above them as an example of how men should be. You will enjoy life more, and your new found enlightenment will bring you to make many enjoyable memories as you experience the fruit of a happy soul.

Contributed by : Texaiano

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