Are you Ready for your Ride?

Last week brought beautiful waves and a lack of wind that allowed us to enjoy beautiful smooth rides out on the water.  As a surfer on Maui, it was about as good as it gets.

Whatever your sport or adventure you enjoy, are you keeping yourself in shape, so that when it all lines up, you can enjoy it?  I think of Life as a sport and an adventure- I know motherhood has been the wildest ride of my life so far.  I do what I can to keep myself in condition for it when I am physically fit to run with my kids; emotionally fit so I can hold them when they cry and hold the space for a bigger perspective on the hurts and trials that are part of life.

I want to be quick to laugh, and slow to judge. Sometimes I succeed, and sometimes not so much.

I strive to be ready to jump into the deep end with both feet and a ‘woop-woop’

I want to be able to be patient enough to recognize the gifts that surround us all, even when they are wrapped in struggle.

For me, the ocean helps me remember all of these things, and so much more.

For the past couple years, as I’ve been recovering from some injuries, I’ve really gotten into longboarding. I was surfing with Maui-based shaper Jimmy Lewis, and he suggested I try a “proper nose-rider longboard” that he shaped for his son. I was able to get to the nose my first day, and had the experience of flying on the water – it was amazing!

Of course, I’m mostly learning how far I have to go to be a really good longboard surfer, but it’s inspiring. Jimmy also sent me this video. I strive to walk around on my board with this much grace and ease. What I do on land is informed by what I am striving to do on the water.

How are you getting ready for your adventure?