{Personal Reflections} Surfing, Surrender, and Soul

I just returned from the salon, and after listening to
myself ramble to my hairstylist about the turbulent ride
these last 10 weeks have been, I feel both spent and surprised
to have survived the dizzying twists and turns.

image result for white surfboard on shore beautiful Pacific ocean waves
Hello Lovely Studio

Illness.
Deadlines.
Disappointments.
Mistakes.
Home renovation.
Holidays & Hosting.
Anxiety.

Know how I have been coping with life’s bumpy ride?
(No, no, not like a playa and not like a girlboss either…
even though playas and girlbosses are lovely.)

Like a surfer.

image result for surfers on shore Hawaii Pacific photo by Michele of Hello Lovely Studio
Photo: Michele –  Hello Lovely Studio

(I took the photo of these surfers at Pipeline,
a surfing competition on Oahu’s North Shore.
It’s my happy place.)

The Arizona Fixer Upper…a new Happy Place

When you reach a certain age, I think you are less surprised
when the roaring waves roll in..even the ones
gnarly enough to claim you.

Because you learn you can ride gnarly waves.
You can.

Hello Lovely Studio

Two words have become profoundly
significant on my surfing journey in the past year.
I learned them from a wise teacher.

Mixed media collage – Hello Lovely Studio

Relax and cooperate.

To do this demands a letting go, a surrender,
and a gentle opening of hands and soul.

Hello Lovely Studio

For many years, my small hands naturally
formed clenched fists whenever fear or anxiety surfaced.
I don’t think I viewed this response as unhealthy.
Just a harmless reaction, I thought.

image result for surfer surboard beach ocean rainbow
Hello Lovely Studio

It was only when I began to unfurl the fear from
these fingers in a vulnerable
and surrendered posture to receive,
that I began to awaken to a hidden wholeness.

Hello Lovely Studio

As I practiced upturning my palms–even shaky palms–
to the sky more often, I found that my capacity
to feel love and compassion was expanding.
Is this not a precious treasure to discover
in the second half of life!?!

There was indeed violence in my tightly held fists.
Directed inward.

Hello Lovely Studio

I am keenly aware I still resemble a
stay-at-home-gypsy wired for words
more than I do a wave-loving-surfer-sage.

But there is surfing going on over here
in the land-locked heartland, brah.

Also gratitude.

For waves, for transformation,
for the gift of awakening to new realms.

Hello Lovely Studio

Richard Rohr says if you don’t transform your pain,
you’ll transmit it, and I know he’s right.

In fact, pain can be recycled beautifully
if we allow it to have its way with us.

Kindness too!

So when I open these hands now, I let go.

Of attachments.
Of fear.
Of my need for approval and acceptance.

I let go of the old agenda,
and suddenly a new spaciousness
takes hold.

Hello Lovely Studio

It’s an ongoing endeavor, of course.
I keep falling asleep, keep clinging,
and keep forgetting to open my hands.
And I’ll never truly arrive, even with striving
(which is totally a relief if you ask me).

image result for row of colorful surfboards at surf shop
Hello Lovely Studio

But what might lie ahead with
metaphorical surfing practice, living out
two un-sexy words–relax and cooperate–
when the seas are stormy?

Do you suppose even bumpy roads
can somehow become a beautiful
deep blue ocean of waves?

Peace to you right where you are.

~michele

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9 Comments

  1. January 15, 2017 / 12:16 pm

    It is as if you put into words what i have been trying to mentally manage Michele. These words are so effective with life spinning by at warp speed and with palms up, I thank you my dear friend.

    • January 15, 2017 / 7:06 pm

      thank you for reading and joining me, friend. xox

  2. January 15, 2017 / 4:30 pm

    "I am keenly aware I still resemble a
    stay-at-home-gypsy wired for words
    more than I do a wave-loving-surfer-sage."

    Me, too…

    • January 15, 2017 / 7:07 pm

      keep calm and surf on, sister. xox

  3. January 15, 2017 / 8:07 pm

    So beautifully said, Michelle! Surrender is a beautiful thing and leads to all sorts of blessings which you so gracefully demonstrate. Keep writing, my friend, I think it's what you were born to do!

    • January 16, 2017 / 8:16 pm

      hahaha. i'm writing as fast as i can and don't think i could write much more…have you ever googled my name, friend? hahahaha

  4. February 21, 2017 / 4:50 pm

    This was so beautiful and spoke to me so deeply. THANK YOU!

    • March 10, 2017 / 6:33 am

      thanks for the kindness, teresa. xox

  5. February 21, 2017 / 4:51 pm

    This really speaks to me. Thank you!

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