Helping others is a known way to move out of stress, worry and even depression.  Reaching out, even if you’re not in the greatest shape yourself can be the best thing you do for yourself.  Here’s a great twist on this idea – an amazing story of people helping a whale in trouble. 

Before you start reading it, notice your state of mind right now.   When you’re finished reading it, you’re likely to notice you’ve forgotten your own problems, at least for a few minutes.  You may find yourself smiling, and relaxing your shoulders for the first time today.  For myself, doing something good for someone else (or even for an animal friend) has almost magical healing powers.  I forget about whatever was bothering me;  I am in the present moment, just trying to be of service, and it feels great.

Here’s the story:

A 2005 front page story of the San Francisco Chronicle told the true story of a humpback whale who had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines.  She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, and a line tugging in her mouth.

A fisherman spotted her just east of the Farallon Islands (outside the Golden Gate ) and radioed an environmental group for help.
Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so bad off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her.  They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her.  When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles.

Whale Thank-You

She then came back to each diver, one at a time, and nudged them, pushed them gently around ~ she was thanking them.  Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives.

The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth said her eyes were following him the whole time, and he will never be the same.  May you, and all those you love, be so blessed and fortunate to be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you.  And may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude.  

I love this story!  Happiness and peace  is as close as lending a hand, and even reading  stories like this.  As Tony De Mello said, “No one can be grateful and unhappy at the same time.”  Wishing you much happiness.  Pass it on!