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Nature's
Wake Up Call
Who
doesn't feel like they're on top of the world when riding
high along the crest of a wave? How about when that
same ride ends up hurling a surfer down-down into the
dim world of murkiness and uncertainty-- the very bottom.
Same surfer just a different scenario of life being
played out one more time. How does it feel when life
becomes completely uncertain and out of control? Everyone
shines bright when things go right, but it's when things
go wrong that we learn, gaining true courage and strength.
Independent thinker and mind surfer Socrates is credited
with saying, Know thyself. To really know thyself try
going through what surfers refer to as a wipe out.
Wipeouts are naturesf way of keeping us alert and waking
us up. When they occur it is time to look around to
see what is happening. There is no sure way to control
a wipe out. Sometimes surfers create their own wipeouts.
Other times wipes outs happen to them. Wipeouts can
be violent or they can be peaceful. Funny thing about
wipeouts is sometimes on lookers will see a surfer take
a seemingly horrific looking wipe out when it really
wasnft. Other times, minor or routine looking wipe
outs can end up disastrous. Every wipeout offers us
an opportunity for growth teaching us life lessons first
hand.
Often
wipeouts result in greater understanding and improved
situations. Trying to avoid a wipeout is like trying
to avoid breathing, sooner or later all surfers wipe
out. For surfers the wipe out may be one of the most
important teachers of all time. The possibility and
occurrence of spills and wipeouts teach surfers to be
in the moment. Transcending time, not thinking ahead
or behind while in a wipe out, smart surfers do not
rush or try and hurry the moment. It is during these
special events called wipeouts that survival skills
and the ability to adapt are often at the highest peak
resulting in a much higher self-awareness and personal
growth.
Wipeouts are a big part of surfing's romance, allure
and excitement; they play a vital part in the whole
surfing experience. Everybody wants to surf but nobody
wants to wipe out. No one gets to the beach thinking,
gThere are some beautiful waves today. What a good
day for a wipe out.h But the fact is wiping out teaches
inexperienced and advanced surfers everything from what
not to do to what to do. Wipeouts also shape our attitudes
and the way we view life allowing us to deal or cope
better in all moments. After a bad wipe out you learn
to appreciate when things are going good. Wipeouts build
character and help surfers to become better, stronger
and more complete. German surfer Fredrich Niezstche
noted, gWhat doesnft destroy me makes me stronger.h
Through wiping out surfers learn to go beyond their
present ability extending their comfort zone, becoming
stronger in every way along the way, physically, mentally,
and spiritually. gWhat does not completely wipe me
out makes me a better surfer.h If you fall off, get
right back on your board and paddle right back out,
you will be a better surfer for doing so.
When facing a calamitous situation such as a wipeout,
the best way to face it is by slowing down and dealing
with the exact moment at hand rather than trying to
rush through it. An uncomfortable or fearful situation
can seemingly last forever. The faster you try and get
through it the longer it will appear to last. Slowing
down and getting through each moment as it comes allows
one to rationally deal and get through each single moment
one at a time accelerating chances for survival. Rather
than focusing on the future, like coming up for air,
or the past like how you ended up going over the falls,
focus on what you have to do to survive in the moment.
Take it moment by moment and before you know it things
will be okay. Even if it seems to take an eternity,
all things shall pass including wipeouts.
One of the most popular questions and usually the first
question a big wave surfer hears is undoubtedly, gWhat
is it like to wipe out on a big wave? People rarely
ask what it is like to feel the emotion, and experience
naturefs magnificent power while ridding a pacific
blue mountain of water. The bigger the wave the bigger
the wipeout, but surfers know the greater the risk,
the greater the reward. Modern big wave gladiators do
their best to avoid wipeouts by focusing on what they
would like to have happen rather than what they donft.
Choosing thoughts that empower and build confidence
big wave surfers are prepared for the wipeout, however
the focus remains exclusively on success.
Big wave wipeouts can be as exciting as the best rides
but the real message is in the lessons learned from
them. Those who go through and survive the whirlpool
or turbulent times learn the lessons of humility, appreciation
and respect gaining faith, wisdom and real confidence
as a result.
Fear of big wave wipeouts has kept some surfers on the
beach denying them the pleasure of reaching for the
waves of their dreams. Surfers in a fearful state tend
to attract what it is they feel they are not prepared
to handle often tensing up and panicking causing their
own misfortunes. Valuable energy that could have been
focused towards a solution actually helped create a
nightmare. An example is the surfer who upon seeing
a huge wave coming at him freezes up instead of just
paddling out to get past it. He has already projected
his reality by imagination of future events and how
he sees it playing out. By staying in the present moment
this surfer could have easily realized that there was
plenty of time to paddle over or around the on coming
waves of fate. His worst nightmare happens when the
wave breaks right on his head and now the real situation
begins to get worse. From imagination what was most
feared became reality happening in real time. Even in
the worst scenario or unfortunate circumstances it is
important to remain positive and focused solely on a
desired outcome.
Ones true character shines out in the darkest moments.
When you are 20 feet deep at the bottom, leg caught
in-between a rock, another 20 foot wave breaking overhead
with more coming, and running out of breath you realize
immediately just how well you can deal with the underwater
pressure (which can blow out ear drums) but more importantly
the pressure of a situation gone horribly south. This
is the intersection of which we come face to face with
who we thought we were and who we really are.
Core and personal life values surface when things are
down and we are face to face with our own wipe out.
A wise old surfer once said, gIt's not the high moments
that will define your life but rather the ones filled
with trials and the way you deal with them. If you are
ever in a wipeout situation accept it, begin to deal
with it in the moment one step at a time and concentrate
steadfastly on getting through it victoriously. How
one handles the difficult times shows the real essence
and measure of ones true character. You will know more
about your self in times of trouble than at any other
time. "Adversity is the heat that tests and purifies
one's mettle.h Wipeouts are prime opportunities for
real growth, deeper self-understanding and long lasting
personal advancement. Aloha, sea you in the surf.
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