We recently returned from a trip to O’ahu, Hawaii. What a beautiful place. We enjoyed many things and kept busy and moving practically the entire time we were there. We saw water and experienced it almost every day in one form or another.
The first day we were there we ventured to a beach to enjoy the ocean. The photo here is taken by me as the waves came onto the beach. I was standing, feet firmly planted as the water rushed onto my feet and then receded back into the Pacific Ocean. My wife, Deb, was sitting just a few feet from me. Sitting, relaxing and enjoying the sights and sounds.
Shortly after this picture was taken the waves got a little bigger and forceful. The sea wasn’t angry my friends as George Castanza famously said in a Seinfeld episode but the water was amazing. As I stood on my feet with a good base Deb started to get thrown around like a rag doll as the waves came in and then went back into the ocean. She laughed and took it in stride but she could not stand up because she did not have a good base to stand on. She got swept up in the power and at the mercy of the waves.
We could both see the waves coming at us, we were both ready, but I was braced for it and could take the waves that came my way. Without a good base Deb didn’t have a chance. Isn’t that like it is in life sometimes? The waves come at us and sometimes non stop. Most of the time we might see them coming and at other times we may not see or respect the power of the wave that is coming at us.
So What Do We Do With The Waves?
- We need to make sure that we have a good base, a solid foundation, to withstand the waves when they come our way.
- Jon Kabat Zinn is credited with saying “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to ride them.” We weren’t having to ride any waves but there are times in life when we just have to ride out the waves and learn how to best do that.
- Lastly, as Deb showed us, we may have to wait for some help to assist us in getting back onto our feet. There may be times as you are getting back up with the help of a friend that the best thing you can do is, hang on, enjoy the ride and make sure you laugh a little bit too.
Look past the waves that come your way. You will be able to see the beauty as well.
Made For This Moment is a collection of writings for living day to day on the journey that we are all on. Todd Gordon is the Director of Activities at Greene County Community Schools in Jefferson, IA. He has been in education for 36 years serving as a teacher, coach, and an administrator.
He has been married to his wife Deb for over 37 years and they have three married children and five grandchildren.
Todd wants to help you on your journey any way that he can because he believes that we are all better when we go through life together and with teammates.
You find him on Twitter and Instagram at @toddagordon.
Made For This Moment 