Friday, January 2, 2015

D@$% Fine Swimmer

An old friend told me once that sometimes we stop rocking the boat because we realize we have to sit in it too. It was wisdom, understanding, and accuracy all rolled into one and an assessment I could not argue with.

I let those words marinate for a bit, and then I reminded myself that I'm a damn fine swimmer. So I capsized the boat and swam to shore. Granted, it took some time, and halfway through I was exhausted and contemplating why I had never learned the Navy SEAL side stroke. Covered in sand, clothes tattered and suctioned to my body, seaweed in my hair, I gazed at the overturned vessel being tossed by the wind and waves, as I stood in peace. I turned my back on the chaos, walked away, and smiled. That was no longer my home.

You have one life.
Live it.
Don't ever settle for less than you deserve.
And at the end, cherish the memories you made because you weren't afraid of experiences that took you to the edge. Treasure the private half-smile shared between a co-conspirator as you both remember the exhilaration of standing at a boundary, that line drawn in the sand at your comfort zone, the deep breath ... and the jump. There's always the chance of disappointment, sadness, heartbreak; but if that keeps you from leaping, you're denying yourself all the joy, laughter, happiness, and freedom that goes with it.