Your Wake

Did anyone have an opportunity to go boating this summer? When a boat cuts through the water it leaves a "wake". It's like a consequence in the water of the presence of the boat and the speed at which it moves. Many places along a lake shore or pier will have warning signs placed so boaters know that they are responsible for the size of the wake they leave behind.

The same is true for us. We are responsible for the wake we leave behind and the faster we move the larger the wake. Our wake, however, is more of an emotional one rather than a physical one. When we are moving through our lives at warp speed, we are going to create a wake that will wash over others. Perhaps we are short with a child, spouse or employee because we can't take the time to formulate a tactful response. Or, we forget something important - a lunch invitation, a birthday/anniversary, a permission slip - and others suffer the consequence due to our wake. And if we move far too fast far too often our wake will threaten to take us under, wipe us out (sickness), and put us out of commission. When we are out of commission by what we have done to ourself, everyone who depends on us suffers.

So how can we be responsible for our own emotional wake? First, be aware that we leave one with every interaction, conversation, or encounter we have. Then take a moment to think about the type of emotional wake we have left behind. Did we leave the person reeling, spinning and trying to regain their balance or did we provide a safe environment to reflect on the encounter? Ask yourself who is benefitting from the wake I leave or is my wake destructive wearing down relationships and breaking down the connections.

To do this we have to slow down to a reasonable speed in order to pay attention to who and what is around us and how our presence will effect them.

Let's just start with slowing and noticing. Next we can look at how to manage our wake in choppy waters.