August 2010

One day my friend Doug Schockey was swimming in the ocean when he was caught in an undertow. 

No matter how hard he swam, the water dragged him farther out to sea. Panicking, he swam harder, exhausting himself with fear and exertion, when suddenly two swimmers appeared, one on either side of him, two men.

“Don’t try to swim toward shore,” one said. “Follow the beach, let the waves carry you. Don’t tire yourself out trying the direct route.”