Riding New Waves

I'll never forget one of my adventures in body surfing. I was in my later twenties, visiting my aunt and uncle in California. I had spent a lot of time in my youth visiting my mom in Florida and so felt very comfortable in the vast water. So I went out. Running to the waves I felt the exhilaration of cold water, salty mist and the promise of catching a ride on the sea. After several enjoyable endeavors, I thought I will try one more. Eagerly I swam out for my last run before resting and so waited for the right one. While treading water I got distracted, I wasn't paying attention and a wave got me! Now rather than me being in control and floating on top, I was literally turned end over end in a tumultuous power of foam and force that literally drove me head first into the sand at the end. I was shook up, I also was hurting. My neck had received the impact of my head implant and subsequently I heard my spine cracking the whole way down my back. I remembered laying there and consciously taking inventory of my body. I felt totally trashed!

Have you ever felt that way? You're riding along in life and for one split second you weren't paying attention, you weren't alert and you found yourself under water. I have found myself there more often than I'd like to admit. More often than I care to have experienced. But whenever it happens, I find it's often due to me not paying attention! Now please do not misunderstand or equate this with the times when a fellow rider is out of control and crashes into you through no fault of your own. When those times occur I think a big hug and some sympathy is in order. I am addressing the times we become absent minded or distracted, when we're coasting along, even minding our own business; not paying attention.

We are told to be on alert, to be sober minded, to walk circumspectly while riding some awesome waves! Riding waves cannot be done with sternness or a serious demeanor for the waves scream of adventure and fun. They truly are a huge contribution in enjoying life abundantly! But to enjoy the gift of waves, I've got to respect them, otherwise I can get hurt.

I learned a lesson that day. The cracking that generated down my back was a healthy reminder for me to pay attention. It didn't stop me from getting out there again, but it did cause me to think. In life we have many waves that come upon us, some are downright fun and others quite large, but awareness is half the battle. To sit on the beach is not an option. There's too many waves to catch, too many adventures to experience, too much fun to be had. To live you've got to be a wave rider!

I'm working on this wave riding. I want to enjoy each moment with its challenges and joys, but I want to be alert so I can catch the next wave!