riding the waves
Although I’ve never surfed on a board, for a long time now I’ve used surfing as an analogy for life. I have played/swam/stood in/floated/ridden on/got knocked down by waves in more than one body of water. Most recently in a warm part of the pacific ocean, where the sand was dark and the currents strong.
Getting knocked down by a wave can mean things like salt water stinging your eyes and filling your nose, losing all sense of direction, being pushed and pulled under the water, breathing in water, losing your shit, suit and/or glasses, sand scraping your knees, even death. The power of water is fierce.
Life often feels like the ocean. Where the swell can be huge, blocking out all view of the shore, if you’re anywhere near land even. The waves are constant if not consistent. Trying to stay afloat, to ride the surf, quickly gets tiring… surrounded by splashing waves and a tugging undertow.
One breath at a time, one wave at a time… jumping & bouncing to say above the line… looking for the wave that calls, to jump on and ride in to the shore… where rest waits…
…until the water (life) pulls you in again.