or: what does “life’s a beach” really mean?

As I’ve spent another week mostly underwater, my time on land has been spent pondering the big questions:

– what’s for dinner?

– who am I seeing this evening?

– what does “life’s a beach” really mean?

I know the answers to the first two (for this evening at least) so my thoughts on the third are below.

– life is tranquil at times and these times are best for going far and fast though going slow would enable me to see more. Sometimes it’s about the journey and sometimes it’s about the destination

– life is also rough and choppy at times and while you may want to go fast to get through it quicker, it is best and safer to go slowly into the headwind so you’re not forced under by a rogue wave

– tiny particles can get stuck in unfortunate places with bad planning and lack of attention. Remove these before chafing occurs

– foot massages bring instant relaxation however scolding hot ground does not

– the ocean has moods and these rub off on others  So do you. The sound of the ocean can be peaceful and hypnotic or it can be a raging fury of pounding waves – choose what you want to be and the likely reactions of others. 

– sometimes treading water doesn’t actually mean you’re standing still. Life goes on around you and you will drift  Not necessarily to where you would want to be

– sometimes the ocean is good for watching, sometimes surfing, sometimes sailing, sometimes skiing, sometimes boating, sometimes diving, sometimes swimming. Only a few of these things can be done at the same time. Focus is important not only for improvement but also for enjoyment. Spreading yourself over multiple things means a greater split of your own energy so it can be tiring.

– it is good to swim into the current first to save energy and return using the current for a rest. Tackle the tough stuff first, the rest is easier and gives you confidence to be able to complete / do whatever it is

– always use protection – it’s not just the sun that’s dangerous 

– what’s below the water is significantly more than what’s on top. Good reminder to look deep and not superficially into people, issues, cultures etc  What you see is just the surface

– it’s not always necessary to be doing, sometimes watching is just as fun and quite restful too

– different friends and family will join you for different activities depending on when you ask them and their own interests. The beach is massive and it’s not all about you.

– it is not possible to smell coconut oil and not think of the ocean

– it should be impossible to use plastic products and not think it will end up in the ocean eventually. Plastic never breaks down. It becomes micro plastics and ends up in the ocean and the animals from there we eat

– sometimes life gives you a pounding. Take a deep breath if you see it coming, duck as far as you can and swim through. You will eventually reach the other side. If you miss the warning signs, close your mouth, relax, let it carry you and you will bounce up again. It may just take a little longer and you may be coughing for a bit first. It happens to everyone at some stage. Never let this stop you from going into the ocean again  Remember the fun and good times and know it’s possible again – that’s the ocean and that is life. Don’t shut yourself from it by being afraid of a risk when the return is so great and you’ve had it before

– life really is pretty good in flip flops

 

 

* Thanks to  The Surfaris for the title to this post.