Another post I wrote while unplugged from the internet, on vacation in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Although I’ve lived in California and Florida for most of my life, not far from a beach, I’ve always been a little uncomfortable in the ocean. It’s not exactly that I’m scared of the ocean. I’m a strong swimmer, and I had the good sense never to watch Jaws, but there’s something about being buffeted by the waves, stung by the salt, and brushed upon by sea life that usually keeps me out of the ocean. This week, though, I spent six days sea- side, and it seemed a shame to leave tomorrow without swimming in the ocean at least once.

Overcoming Fear

So I grabbed a boogie board, strapped on some flippers, and made my way to the shore. The part I like least about swimming in the ocean is how the waves roll up on you as you’re swimming out. You can never tell whether they’re going to crash over you or whether you’ll narrowly miss getting swept under or pushed back to shore. Going out this time was no better. A few waves crashed over my head, pushing me under and impeding my progress. My friend Dan, who had been boogie boarding all week, advised that I swim out past the second wave break, which required getting beat up a bit. But once I made it past the second break, I was rewarded with the silence and peace of a still ocean.

Swimming With Dolphins

Then, I saw a fin, no further than arms length away from me. My body froze, and I instantly thought “Shark!” A split second later, a dolphin leapt into the air and eliminated all fear in me. A second fin appeared seconds later. I was swimming with dolphins. I have always loved dolphins, their playful curiosity and grinning dolphin smiles. How can you not be happy when you see a dolphin? The dolphins approached me, encircling me. One brushed up against my leg, and any fear I’d had evaporated. I sent out a thank you prayer, as gratitude washed over me as fully as the waves had. How close I came to missing out on adding another check mark to bucket list. (Swim with dolphins- check). I bubbled over. Had I not overcome my hesitation, I would have missed this experience.

Smooth Sailing or Choppy Waters?

Don’t we all do that sometimes? We let the waves keep us from experiencing potential joy. Someone once asked me, if I had a choice, would I live a life of smooth sailing or one with choppy waters. Did I want to live a still, calm life without many ripples, or would I rather ride the waves, with high highs and low lows. My ex-husband said he’d choose the smooth sailing, and I was so disappointed in his answer. Me, I chose the choppy waters. Smooth sailing sounded boring. I chose adventure.

Now, I’m not so sure. The older I get, the less certain I am. When you’re in the midst of one of those low lows, smooth sailing sounds awfully appealing and choppy waters seem filled with sharks. But when you’re bobbing up and down with the tides, filled with glee, while two dolphins are swimming around you, the choppy waters seem well worth the risk.

Going With The Flow

Either way, my heart was light as I said goodbye to the dolphins and began kicking on my boogie board, gliding forward and dipping up and down. Then a wave caught me, drawing me up and crashing down in a rush of surf and sand and salt, and I giggled like a child. Sure, the ocean still scares me a bit, but sometimes, you just gotta ride the waves.

Better To Have Loved & Lost Or to Have Never Loved At All?

It makes me think of love, which is an awful lot like the ocean. Is it better to have loved and lost or to have never loved at all? I say love is worth the waves, even if it means your heart will inevitably break. What’s the alternative? Avoiding the ride altogether? What about you, Pinkies? What do you prefer? Smooth sailing or choppy waters? High highs and low lows or a steady, even keel life? Are the highs worth the lows, or would you prefer to sacrifice the highs if it meant avoiding the lows? Is love (and life) worth taking the plunge? Do tell…

Riding high,

Lissa