A traveller walked along the shore of a large lake of crystal waters, thinking about the best way to get to the other side.

As he sighed deeply, trying to look attentively upon the horizon, the voice of a silver haired man broke the silence. He offered to take the traveller to his destiny. He was a boatman.

The boat that would take them to the other side of the lake was small and old. It had two oak oars. The traveller looked carefully and noticed what looked like letters in each one of the oars.

As he put his dusty feet inside the boat, he realized they were indeed two words. In one of the oars, the word “believe” was carved, and on the other one, there was the word “act”.

The traveller curiously asked the reason for such words.

The boatman then took the oar where the word “believe” was carved, and rowed with all his strength. The boat started to go around itself without actually moving forward.

Soon after, he took the oar carved with “act” and did the same. Again, the boat moved around itself without getting anywhere.

Finally, the old boatman, holding both oars, moved them at the same time. The boat, being impelled on both sides, navigated through the waters of the lake, and calmly got to the other side.

Then the boatman said to the traveller:

“This boat can be called self-confidence. The shoreline is the goal we want to achieve.”

For the boat of self-confidence to sail safely and meet its target, it is necessary to use both oars at the same time and with the same intensity: to believe and to act.

It is not enough just to believe, otherwise the boat will only go around itself. Acting in the direction that will take us to achieve our objective is also necessary.

To believe and to act. Use the oars with strength and willingness, getting over waves and winds and never forgetting that, sometimes, it is necessary to row against the wind.

Gandhi had an objective: to free his people from the British Empire. He had also a strategy: non-violence.

His self-confidence was such that he achieved his objective without spilling blood. He believed it was possible and acted with certainty.

Mother Teresa also had a purpose: to help the poor and abandoned people of Calcutta. She believed, she acted, and she went beyond her initial intention, helping poor people all over the world.

Albert Schweitzer aimed at his goal and achieved it as well. He left the comfort of the big city and went to live in the French Africa to look after the natives.

Like them, we could mention many other examples of men and women who not only believed, but also made their plans of happiness and private redemption came true.

What about you? Are you rowing firmly to achieve the goals you set for yourself?

If your self-confidence boat has stopped half way through or is going around in circles, it is about time to make a decision and push it with strength and willingness.

Remember that only you can put it into action, using both oars: to believe and to act.

Think about it!

If you still do not have a clear objective or want to try again, think about some points:

Verify if the path you want to take is not invading other people’s path.

Make sure the waters you want to sail are protected against envy, pride, hate.

Before using the oars, make sure they are not corroded by the acid of selfishness.

After taking some precautions, go ahead and have a nice trip.

Written by Spiritist Moment Team, based on an internet text, without mention of the author. Translated by Huei Lin Allegretti.