Sylvia stared out at the vast ocean, taking deep breaths of the salty air. She relished this time alone after the intensity of her latest consulting project. The beach was her refuge between intense periods of work.
As she strolled along the shoreline, the sound of cries caught her attention. Bobbing in the waves was a young girl, gasping for breath. Without hesitation, Sylvia swam out and pulled her back to shore.
As the girl regained consciousness, Sylvia noticed something peculiar—the lower half of the girl’s body was shimmering, iridescent scales. Sylvia realized she had just saved a mermaid child!
The little mermaid explained she got caught in fishing nets and separated from her pod. She thanked Sylvia profusely for the rescue. As gratitude, she offered Sylvia a gift—a necklace allowing her to breathe underwater.
Sylvia accepted the gift in awe. She decided to delay her next project. Instead, she explored the ocean’s wonders, thanks to the mermaid’s magic. Marine life she’d never seen before greeted her in an underwater world of marvels.
Reflecting on her journey, Sylvia realized life’s greatest rewards weren’t money or status, but courage, compassion and curiosity. She returned to work reinvigorated, infusing her consulting with the same spirit of exploration and wonder her underwater adventure had evoked.
The mermaid’s gift reminded Sylvia to keep sight of life’s magic amidst professional demands. She made frequent returns to the sea, maintaining a spirit of childlike awe that enriched her work. Her unique experiences allowed her to help others work with renewed passion.