Richard Rayner, MD
People love a good rescue story. How can you not? The distressed person or people, in a seemingly hopeless situation, saved through the brave, often crazy effort of some brave soul(s) willing to risk everything in the face of impossible odds for the sake of another or animal. The internet is chock full of videos of people rescuing people, people rescuing pets, pets alerting others that a human is in dire straits, and pets protecting other animals.
As we watch these scenes, we find our hearts are warmed, our souls are inspired, and maybe if only silently, our eyes a little moist. These glimpses of goodness, kindness and bravery give us hope that perhaps all is not lost with our current world.
The Unexpected
One scenario that chills me almost as much as the associated weather is a rescue involving someone who has broken through ice covering a lake or stream. Harry and George Bailey aside, it’s among the most dangerous of situations. In this situation, the victim can get sucked under by the current or movement of the water and be drawn away from the portal of entry. The rescue in these cases may actually require creating another hole in the ice in order to retrieve the trapped individual, thus compounding the danger significantly. The risk to the rescuer is huge, while the victim struggles against paralyzing cold and time.
In the dicey situation above, the victim, either naively or daringly, believed the ice to be thick enough to hold him. The moments before the break in the ice are usually filled with elation if not bravado. Who doesn’t love the sensation of getting a running start and then gliding almost frictionless across a sheet of ice? Then, in a flash, the amazing fun moment is converted to utter shock and fear as the ice breaks and the reveler is plunged into the frigid water.
Before You Step Out
These ice breakthroughs are metaphors for some of the more difficult situations in which we may find ourselves. The victim went out on the ice blind to the threat that existed underfoot, believing it would hold. The data was limited and whether as a result of desire for admiration, true ignorance, or lack of prudence, the soon-to-be victim charged forth. At this point what the person felt was insignificant. Reality ruled the moment. When tested the ice was found wanting, a fun, daring adventure in a moment turning deadly.
Feelings are a gift of God. We aren’t robots that do what we’re programmed to do. Feelings bring creative spice to the recipes of life. They can be beautiful and invigorating, giving color to the mundane routine. However, they must have their proper place. Our feelings must augment our reality, not try to create it. How many trips to a bad outcome have begun with, “I feel it this time,” or “I’m just going to go with my feelings,” “I’m just going to quit. I sense that that better job is out there waiting for me.” Feelings are more fully enjoyed and enhanced when subjected to wisdom.
Even “bad” feelings can be missteps. The sadness that comes from improper or inaccurate criticism is a wrong emotion resulting from bad motives of others. We dare not succumb to that. Similarly, there could be anger resulting from a misunderstanding, fury based on wrong information. Fear that arises from hearing footsteps behind you in a dark alley is real and good, but fear from watching the same scene in a movie is artificial. The first deserves action (run!), the latter maybe just a change of the channel!
Life lived without risk is stale bread, cake without icing, French fries without salt. However, risk without thought and planning is dangerous. Tread carefully. The ice may not be as thick as you think.
