Jellyfish do look like jelly
Even in your mind you can envision this scenario. It might even be less distracting to abandon reality. Think about approaching the ocean. It can be sunny and calm or stormy and gloomy. It might even be fun to change the weather conditions if you repeat this task. The aspect that first draws your attention might be the breeze, maybe the height of the waves, the amount of white on the water or maybe even how quickly you can get into that water because your tiny toes are burning up in the hot sand. That’s the physical stuff. When you get to the water’s edge and pause, what is the Goldilocks’ scenario for you? Taking into account how strong a swimmer you are might restrain how deeply you enter the water. Even what you are wearing or whose hand you might be holding is part of the decision on whether your ankles might be the only part that gets wet. You may get used to the temperature and start to think about how the sand is starting to shift underneath your feet. Looking out into the waves for a fin might hold you back. This is what happens when humans decide to create a new goal, accept a new position, look for a new place to live and even cook a new meal. Life is complicated. No wonder it is so much easier to just keep plugging along. But then one day, out of the blue, you realize that you are bored. Bored with yourself, tired of your family and friends, what you are having for dinner or any other possible item you can pin with that dart on your own personal donkey game. Let’s consider how we are going to handle these moments before they happen. I am a planner by nature and that little scout in me likes to get badges for preparedness. Let me share with you that I don’t have a foolproof method. Because jumping waves might seem like fun until I see them. Because the water might be pretty cold with that gusty wind. Or because I have a perfect scenario in my memory of an afternoon on the beach from my teenage days that will never be surpassed. What I need to find is courage. In me. Because I have been to the ocean on more days than I can count, in all kinds of weather, eventually dove in under the waves and still went back again. That is what I need to churn up. The repetition of relying on the fact that I have been back again. I might even build a sandcastle.
You are Extraordinary!
Week 12: Bathing suit optional
Many lakes are so big that they are often described having waves as big as those in the oceans. That conjures up those terrifying epic battles in the icy Atlantic that result in the ship being tossed by some monster fish. That is not what you should focus on when deciding on trying something new. Maybe the baby pool is a good place to stick in your toes and steady those feet. And that’s okay to do most of the time. When you get yourself to the place where you need a tempest to create change, you have waited too long. An acceptable place to start is with some smaller change. So, dip in those toes and then wade out a little where your legs can feel the gradual warmth of acceptance. Water is my happy place most of the time but I am not above standing in the toddler area of a water park and learning some lessons.
