Pacific

Treacherous. Tempestuous. Turbulent. Since being discovered in 1520, the icy and foggy passageway connecting two oceans at the southmost point of the Americas has earned quite the fearsome reputation.

Upon crossing it, its first navigator – Ferdinand Magellan, in whose honor this Strait is named – called the unknown, calm body of water he had just entered Pacific.

On the one hand, in comparison to the Strait, when first encountered the largest and deepest body of water on Earth appeared untroubled by storms. On the other hand, however, Magellan conceivably confronted challenging conditions during the oceanic journey that would take him around the globe.

But the name stuck.

Optimism can help us navigate life’s trying moments. When we emerge from them, it can also help us appreciate what we have in front of us and shape our experience of what will come – another storm, or pacific waters.