The Biblical story of the great flood (see Genesis 6:1-9:17) has been around for a long time. It has counterparts in many other cultures. Each generation has learned much from the story, and so can those of us trying to stay "afloat" in the world today! Needless to say, "Always build on the highest ground possible," - indicating that character always counts! Here are 10 more lessons:

1. ALWAYS PLAN AHEAD.
   There wasn't any rain in the forecast when Noah started building the ark.
   
   
2. DON'T LISTEN TO YOUR CRITICS.
   Listen instead to your heart, and then do whatever has to be done. The neighbors might have taunted when Noah was blocking their driveway - but he had the last laugh as soon as the rain began falling!
   
   
3. STAY PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, SPIRITUALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY FIT.
   You never know but that when you're 600 years old, someone might come along out of the blue and ask you to do something REALLY big!
   
   
4. DON'T SEEK TO GO IT ALONE.
   Whenever possible, always travel at least in pairs, because two heads are better than one.
   
   
5. SPEED IS NOT ALWAYS AN ADVANTAGE.
   The cheetahs were on board, but so were the snails, and they all arrived safely on dry ground at the very same time.
   
   
6. HANDLE CONFLICT WITH CERTAINTY.
   If you can't fight or flee from adversity, at least make certain you have an idea that can float in the sea of ideas!
   
   
7. DON'T MISS THE BOAT!
   Take advantage of your opportunities, but don't forget this underlying truth - that ultimately when all is said and done, we're all in the same boat!
   
   
8. BE FLEXIBLE IN YOUR THINKING.
   Remember that amateurs built the ark while professionals built the Titanic and the Challenger Space Shuttle.
   
   
9. DON'T FEAR WHAT'S OUTSIDE. REMEMBER WHAT'S INSIDE!
   The woodpeckers on the INSIDE are often a bigger threat to your overall well being than the storms raging on the outside.
   
   
10. REMAIN FAITHFUL AND OPTIMISTIC
    No matter how bleak things look, if God is traveling with you, there's always going to be a rainbow of peace on the other side of the storm.