Paddle Your Own Canoe
I heard a wise friend explain to another that they must paddle their own canoe.
It was a vivid metaphor and image of what can happen should one reach to paddle the canoe of another. It isn’t necessarily the other who lands in the water, but oneself.
So often people seek for another to change their ways, they try to tell or influence their behavior. They try to paddle the other person’s canoe.
I get it. They are trying to be helpful, sometimes on matters of serious concern.
However, when the other isn’t open to guidance or self-reflection the one reaching out can make matters worse for all involved.
When things are already bad or leaning that way, do consider that yes, it can be worse.
It can be worse when you don’t stay in your own canoe. At least you will still be around should support be necessary and without contributing to making things worse.
Paddle your own canoe.
Thank you.
[Pat Green]
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I am Gary Direnfeld and I am a social worker. Check out all my services and then call me if you need help with a personal issue, mental health concern, child behavior or relationship, divorce or separation issue or even help growing your practice. I am available in person and by video conferencing.
Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW
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Gary Direnfeld is a social worker. Courts in Ontario, Canada, consider him an expert in social work, marital and family therapy, child development, parent-child relations and custody and access matters. Gary is the host of the TV reality show, Newlywed, Nearly Dead, former parenting columnist for the Hamilton Spectator and author of Marriage Rescue: Overcoming the ten deadly sins in failing relationships. Gary maintains a private practice in Georgina Ontario, providing a range of services for people in distress. He speaks at conferences and workshops throughout North America. He consults to mental health professionals as well as to mediators and collaborative law professionals about good practice as well as building their practice.
Gary Direnfeld 