Yesterday, I watched a launch of a lifeboat for my first time ever.

People were running towards the Queensferry boathouse within moments of one another.  Just a few moments later they all appeared on the other side of the building with their uniforms on and the boat being launched, and then they were gone.

I don’t know whether this was an exercise or for real but, as I reflected on what I witnessed, a number of elements had just come together:

Acute need experienced by those in trouble on the sea demands a highly skilled crew to respond – not just anyone who likes boats can do this.

The crew possesses a combination of personal values, skills, and experience which makes them the rescuers they are – matched on land by a team in support.

They have the kind of equipment which makes it more possible to deliver their skills and succeed for the people in need: boat, clothing, etc.

I call this acute need because it’s obvious to someone in trouble on the sea when they need help.

There’s also chronic need, though.

I’m thinking of the work people find themselves in, but it could also be their worldview or relationships or a health issue of some kind.  Many put up with their needs and try to get by – it’s not as if it’s life-threatening, they reason.

Rescue is at hand – people with values and skills and experience and means and practices who help us to turn towards the need rather than hide from it.

And people who are rescued tend to become rescuers of others – which is why today’s cartoon is a tribute to Harriet Tubman, who escaped from slavery but then decided to become a rescuer of others, being a founder of the Underground Railroad.

‘I’m very inspired myself, as a teacher, to communicate ways to help people not run away.  To help people take the view that they can allow whatever comes up, uncomfortable feelings, for example.  And then, secondly, to teach methods of different kinds to help others stay present.’*

I can name all those who helped to rescue me and those who still do.

(*From Pema Chödrön’s Fail Fail Again Fail Better.)