Surfer Steps

Surfer Steps

"Infinite riches are all around you if you will open your mental eyes

and behold the treasure house of infinity within you."

- Joseph Murray

Details of a day...

Today, I am still in "next step" mode, which is probably why I began to notice the varied barefooted steps surfers were taking as they entered the immense ocean... I appreciated what I learned...

The traditional overcast weather - it is called "May Gray" in these parts - along with the cold water temps, requires surfers to suit up with the protection of black seal-skin wetsuits. There were so many different surfer-step techniques - and I imagine that it changes day to day. Some surfers practiced zen offerings (it appeared to be an honoring of the divine); others did yoga stretches in preparation (some more demonstrative and convoluted than others); the most exuberant surfers rushed right into the water, splashing with abandon, throwing down their board like a black-jack table winning, securing the tie around their ankle, and confidently racing out to meet the waves without even one look back (they were making good on that well-turned phrase: come hell or high water!). Some entered the ocean in groups of six or seven - some members vibrant, some more subdued - but seemingly bolstered by the sense of community. And then there were those who looked back... often...waving at those on the shore seeking encouragement, and smiling at the interactions. What seemed to matter most about the techniques is that the surfers were comfortable with the way they were taking the steps to enter the ocean - they were being true to themselves (there was no clearly defined right way or wrong way).

I am grateful that I picked up a couple of ideas from today's surfers...
and particularly liked their lesson that the "next step" has a lot to do with simply being comfortable with (and claiming) your own "seal-skin" style as you move into the waters ahead...