Your Wave is Coming. What Do You Do ‘til Then?
Ride the wave. I hear that a lot when there’s no ocean nearby. I love hearing how people interpret this saying – it’s all very different, and no one is actually talking about surfing!
Here’s my experience when I’m surfing and riding the wave. First of all, most of surfing is waiting!! I’m waiting for a wave, then I’m waiting for the right wave. Then I’m noticing if the wind or currents have changed, and I’m making adjustments – small, medium, big ones.
I sometimes catch an amazing wave. Sometimes I don’t want the wave and I let it pass me. Sometimes I catch the wave and the ride is okay or wipeout. Sometimes I miss the wave completely! I keep going. Or I paddle back to shore because my body’s tired or it’s simply just time for me to be back on land.
When I’m in the water I never think my time out there is a waste, or feel like I'm starting from square one after a wipeout. I'm patient with the waves. I'm patient with my body. I'm patient with the whole uncertain and beautiful process of it. Riding the wave includes the wipeouts, waiting, resting, adjusting, noticing, etc. That's who I am in the water, and I'm still learning to bring her to shore.
Where in your life right now are you waiting for your wave — and can you find some presence in that waiting?
Is there a wipeout you've been treating like failure, that might just be part of the ride?
Where are you already moving with ease and grace — and what does that tell you?
