I love this quote, and it speaks to me at this present moment … for right now, I am being tossed around in the “sudsy” goodness of a rather large sized wave as it pummels me into the washing machione cycle of the ocean.

It’s all about constantly being in the now; knowing you don’t get to choose whether you move forward.
You’re going to move forward, so don’t fight it.

Yeah … I just wiped out, and it will be several more seconds before I can move towards the surface of the water, break free of the foamy froth surrounding me and my surfboard, and catch a breath of air. I calmly watch the movement of the water above me and wait for my chance to surface, making my way behind the passing wave.

Yes, I just wiped out on what should have been a really nice ride on a really nice wave! Ahem. A side note: If you are an ocean person, surfer, waterman, or have ever been in the throes of the ocean’s waves, you are more than likely familiar with the concept of “not fighting it”. Swimmers are often cautioned by ifeguards not to fight a rip tide -  a strong surface current flowing outwards from a shore – when caught in one. Rip tides are narrow enough in size that if you swim parallel to shore, you can easily escape the current and then swim back to shore.

Right. Don’t fight it, just go with the flow until you can easily maneouvre around it and be on your way. As I climb back on my surfboard, half gasping for air and half laughing at what was possibly a good wipe out scene for anyone watching, I remind myself of being in the now. In layman’sterms, it is sort of a quick evaluation and assessment of the situation – a “what did you learn” moment in time. I learned to be in the now, watch what is happening, and respond in a proportionate manner. But the quote is more than just a metaphor for surfing … it’s a good mantra for every day living too!

As with most things in this world, we really do not get to choose a lot of what takes place around us, nor do we get to choose when those things happen. We only get to choose HOW we react to each and every single situation. How we react and continue to respond with every given moment is the only thing that we may be really in control of. A less than attentive driver on the speedway who cuts you off should not dictate how you are to respond or spend the next few moments of your life … you get to choose how you react to that. And of course, there will be moments upon moments when emotion rules over logic, but how far you continue to let it ebb is part of that choice as well. I have chosen to see this quote as a statement to choose what to fight and when to fight – like fighting a rip tide in utter futility versus fighting your own fear of drowning into the strength to swim around a rip tide – not as a commandment to lay down and simply not fight.

It’s not permission to surrender at the challenges we face since we are not in control, but rather a resounding statement to know when it is appropraite to prepare, to analyse, think, and to fight back. It is also a testament to the change that this world will constantly go through – both evolution and regression – moving at such a constant pace that nothing is spared from the momentum. It will change, it is changing, and there is nothing you can do except choose how you will react to each moment of change and forward (sometimes backwards) progression.

And now, if you will excuse me, I have another good wave to catch since I have managed to make my way back to the line up … the waves are coming and I want to make sure I’m in the right spot!

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