Go Deep in LIfe

I tell others that I am not afraid of anything, but at the same time, I realize I am not a risk taker.  I was reminded of this today as I went for a swim in the ocean.  It was a beautiful overcast day.  Calm southwesterly breezes flow gently across the ocean and greet me with a kiss of salt air.  I am standing on the shore, half naked and gently walk until I am knee deep, then plunge myself down into submersion.  I lose my balance and the swells playfully toss body around like an old rag doll.  I submit to the power of the ocean as part of my aparigraha ….. letting go.  

Suddenly I notice an older group of three, two women and a man heading into the water.  They are moving at a brisk pace toward the end of the shallow shelf into deeper waters to swim.  I ask myself, as a child, I used to body surf, swim and loved getting into deep water.  What’s holding me back from doing this again.  Where did I lose this child’s adventurous spirit?  Is that playful kid lost forever in me?   How do I summon him back into the present moment?

Today a friend reminded me to be in the moment as I venture out for the day.  Her words echo in my head “Wherever the wind blows you enjoy yourself!  Have fun and truly be in the moment” she wrote in a text earlier from today.  I embrace her kind thoughts and as the waves move me at their will. I observe and watch, hoping to discover something amazing.  I see a young couple on the third floor balcony dressed in bedclothes.  It’s 10:00 in the morning and they are popping champagne corks off the edge of the railing.  Laughing and enjoying this little slice of heaven.  They kiss, drink and celebrate.  One balcony above and in stark contrast, sits an older couple.  They are calm and stoically placed on their balcony.  They are motionless like two bronzed statues.  Expressionless and un-phased by the youthful celebrations below them.  

A group of seven young tourists arrive and race to the beach, rushing to enjoy the special treasure that awaits.  They drop all belongings, strip down to swimsuits and rush into the water.  A Jesus looking man with long flowing hair and a bushy beard is first of his friends to arrive.  He wastes no time in arriving at  the deep water.  His long flowing hair turns into a tamed wet mop as he repeatedly douses himself swimming and bounding in dolphin like fashion.  

A family sits nearby sharing stories laughs and a homemade picnic lunch.  Their little boy plays in the waves and is mystified by everything he sees.  He ventures into the water nearly as deep as me laughing and giggling in youthful, innocent joy.

It was a morning of reflection.  Of forcing myself to be in the moment.  To reflect on who I am by noticing the world around me.  I took one last deep dip into the water refreshed not only be the gentle breeze and cool water, but about how the sea reminded me of who I am as a person.