The first amazing part is the moon's role in the oceans. As the moon orbits the earth, it's gravitational pull creates our tides. On one side of the earth, the tide is high up on the shore while on the other side, farther from the moon, the tide is low leaving behind beaches and stray animals and plants. These tides are one part that makes the ocean exciting. It is always changing. In addition to the tides, the wind that blows across the earth causes the waves to build. More wind creates bigger waves. These waves travel across the earth building and changing until they finally crash on the shore. Each wave is unique. They bring debris, animals and plants and leave them behind. The surface of the ocean floor also changes the way the ocean moves and travels. A rocky shore creates predictable, consistent waves and a sandy shore is always moving making the waves change with it.
Trying to maneuver in the ocean can be difficult and dangerous. Whether you have a boat, a surf board or just your body, there are hidden dangers everywhere.
People have a choice. They can make a plan and determine they will carry out their plan no matter what the ocean does. They don't care if the ocean pushes back, they don't care if the waves are too high or too small. They simply want to accomplish what they have set out to accomplish. Almost every time, that person will crash to the floor of the ocean or get beat by the waves. The waves will knock them back and beat them up. The ocean doesn't care about our plans. It is a force much bigger than that.
Wiser people have discovered it is best to study the ocean and learn its patterns. They watch it move, they time the waves, the study the height of the waves. They understand how weather affects it and changes it. For example, the ocean we see from our Oregon house usually has small waves in the morning. As the day progresses, the waves get bigger and less predictable. If you only had the ability to hear, you could hear the waves get louder as the day goes on, as if the ocean gets angrier or simply has more energy. Also, in the afternoons it gets windier. The more wind, the more difficult and unpredictable the waves are.
Once you understand how the ocean operates, you can attempt to become a part of it. You try to move with the ocean rather than fighting it. You may still get knocked down, but it won't be as badly and you may learn from your mistakes. You aren't going to stop the waves from crashing, but you can learn where to stand so it doesn't hurt as badly. You aren't going to make the waves smaller or bigger, but you can learn how to flow with the waves no matter what the size.
The ocean won't be controlled or planned. Either will our lives. The more we fight against the situations and people that come into our lives, trying to change them or avoid them, the more we will fall and get hurt. If, instead, we see them and look for the best path through the situations or the best way to associate with people who are trying to hurt us, we will find success.
We can't control outside forces in our lives any more than we can control the ocean. But, we can learn how to move with the forces. We can learn how to enjoy the small rides on the surf board into the beach. We can pull out our windsurf boards on the harsh windy days and see where the wind takes us. We can curl up by the fire when it is raining and cold and let the ocean be vicious without us for a day.
I love the ocean. I have surfed it and know exactly how much pain it can cause. I have observed it and know its beauty. I love that when I go into the ocean, I must surrender. I must pay attention to every sense to remain safe. I must be in the moment or I will get hurt. My surrender often comes with the reward of a great ride on a great wave. My patience pays off. Every time I set my foot in the ocean, it is scary. I have no idea what it will do to me. Every time I take a step into an unknown place in my life it is scary too. I simply have to keep my eyes and ears open, ready to learn and grow and enjoy the ride.
I'm thankful our lives are filled with things that are bigger than us, things that we will never fully comprehend. I need to know there is something bigger, someone bigger than my imagination reminding me I am never alone and I never need to have all the answers.
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