Riding the Wave

Every now and then I have a poignant moment of reflection in my life. It always fascinates me how the moment comes and what event conjures the introspection. In this case, it came when I was at the beach in North Carolina this past week. My boyfriend loves to boogie board. I actually love to boogie board too. I grew up in California and was a beach bum every summer as a kid. Boogie boarding came so naturally because I spent so much time in the waves and I LOVED it. But this past week, I found myself reluctant to boogie board... making excuses such as, "I would rather soak up the sun." (Ok, total admission of guilt, I HATE sunbathing... yes it's true California, a born and raised Californian can't stand laying in the sun... sue me, I'd rather be playing rather than laying in the sun). So I know something is wrong when I would rather sunbath than go in the ocean.

After a few more kind invitations, I finally was convinced to go boogie boarding... and had a great time. I thought about this for awhile and realized it was because about a year ago I went to Hawaii with some friends, and while it was AMAZING... the waves were much bigger and a bit more rockin'. It took me a bit to remember how to catch a wave (since I haven't lived in CA for about 10+ years). But the waves in Hawaii weren't forgiving and I kept getting rocked. After one particular wave when I was getting thrashed for about 30 seconds under the water, I thought I might not make it, especially after hitting the rocks as well... that was when I called it for boogie boarding. The interesting thing is I thought I was calling it for the day/trip on boogie boarding, but I didn't realized how much that experience must have rocked me because I was scared to try boogie boarding again.

Some random pic... not Brian and I

I sat on the shore this week reflecting on this experience. Sometimes it is so hard to get back in the water when experiences rock us to the very core. It's hard to read the undertows, currents, and tides that work so forcefully on us, most of which we cannot perceive with our natural eye. Such tends to be the same with emotion and how it takes a toll on our life. For me, getting back in the water was literally hard to overcome. But this time, the waves were much more tame and I had someone with me who put my comfort and safety first. The highlight of getting back in the water was walking back out to catch a wave after have just ridden one in and high fiving my boyfriend as he rode a wave in. That's what life is... learning HOW to surf the concoction of unforetold and potentially tempestuous waves and currents with a partner that can help us navigate successfully.

You could say that many of us have had a Hawaii experience that puts over the top and we either subconsciously or consciously decide that we don't want to have that experience again. I see many people who safely distance themselves from ever coming close to "hitting the rocks" again. I think I was one of them in terms of a relationship. I didn't realize that until just recently. However, in easing myself into the water again at my own pace, I was able to realize that the waves were something I could learn to read again. The waves of the past were circumstantial and the waves of the present are worth the risk and even fun if I take the time to learn and practice the skill.