Learning to Surf

"You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf."

~ Jon Kabat-Zinn

Professor of Medicine Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Medical School

Ya know, this isn't going to be a very good post if I try to use surfing metaphors because I don't know any.  I imagine it being a lot like the sensation of riding a rollercoaster except it takes exceptional skill.  

When I think of the emotional rollercoaster that is often referred to, it is a ride one must tolerate at least and learn to enjoy at best.  Surfing, however, takes practice.  A new surfer starts with little waves and graduates to the biggies.  Skills are built upon and the experience gets more thrilling with practice.  I have a choice, whatever the size of the wave, I can let it crash into me and pound me into the sand or I can have a go at surfing.  I learned as a child when we visited Florida that I do NOT like being pounded by waves with my face pushed into the sand.  So, I'm learning to surf.

This phase of life is a subtraction I wasn't looking forward to.  I enjoy seeing my children succeed in their endeavors, but I need to have endeavors of my own.  I am creating my surfboard with whatever modifications I need to make it through the waves life is creating without crashing.

My passion is helping others.  My choice is to "actively" help by cooking a meal, mowing a lawn, running errands, or watching children.  I need to work on simply listening and being present.  I don't need to solve the problem.  See that skill I just introduced, I think it may help me steer by surfboard.

Another area I need to focus on is my spiritual life.  I truly believe in "to each his/her own."  I have not found the traditional church experience to be beneficial as a person with a very nontraditional home.  I do feel a kindred spirit to people with devout faith.  They are the people I experience living out their faith, outside of the church.  The do not preach or try to convert others by bringing the church to the public, rather they simply live and care for others.  They do not condemn or shame.  They love and accept where a person is in life's journey.

I want to collect memories, not things.  I want to inspire, not suppress people's dreams.  I want to love.  I want to live to the fullest.  Surfing is going to be awesome!!!