ride the waves and don't ask where they go

a handful of years ago, someone described to be a rather interesting way to deal with challenges:

imagine you're at the beach, playing in the water, and a wave starts coming. if you just stand there, either frozen in fear or trying to be tough and withstanding it, the wave will pick you up and carry you with it.
if you run from the wave, which is the natural and instinctual reaction, not only will it catch you and crash down on you, but it will have grown in size and force and so will really plow you into the sand.
but if you do the opposite of what seems natural and dive into the wave, you will likely be tossed a little with the turbulence of the water, but will avoid the crushing power that was coming right at you.

it's so crazy it just might work.