wait_out
Master Don Juan
This metaphor about learning to surf helped me re-conceptualize a lot of my thoughts about the game in 2011, in a positive way. Posted for my future reference, and for any like-minded souls out there.
1) There will always be more waves. Most important. You might miss every wave you tried for. The ocean might go flat for days. But there will always be more waves. Always.
2) If you're not in the lineup, you don't get a wave. You can watch from the beach if you want. But you won't catch anything.
3) Once the wave is gone, let it go. You get one chance. If it's over, turn around and wait for the next wave. Don't waste your energy chasing it into the beach. It won't work.
4) Learn to accept it will sometimes be painful. Getting washed sucks. You can get held under. Your leash might snap. You might get cut on the reef, or get a fin chop. You can only decide if you love surfing, more than you hate getting wiped out by a nasty wave. It's your choice. Crashing gracefully and coming up laughing will make your life easier.
5) It's all about building momentum. If you can't step on the gas, the wave will always pass you by. Learning to read waves consistently, and be in the right place, at the right time, is meaningless unless you have the paddle power to accelerate. At some point, you need to commit and make your move. No exceptions.
6) Learn to be patient. The ocean is still beautiful, even when there are no waves to be seen. Profit from the moment. You might see a sea turtle. Or if you're unlucky, a shark. Appreciate what you've got, while you still have it. Your life will be better if you focus on what's there, rather than what's lacking.
7) The wave lets you ride it. Surfing is a mutual act. You can get closed out unexpectedly. The wave may die out without warning. It may never get started. Or it may turn into the best ride of your life. Don't curse the ocean, or curse yourself. Offer gratitude to the wave for the good time you had (or, collect your broken board and scram), paddle back to the lineup, and wait for the next one.
8) Wearing sunscreen is a good idea. I'm sure you can figure this one out on your own.
1) There will always be more waves. Most important. You might miss every wave you tried for. The ocean might go flat for days. But there will always be more waves. Always.
2) If you're not in the lineup, you don't get a wave. You can watch from the beach if you want. But you won't catch anything.
3) Once the wave is gone, let it go. You get one chance. If it's over, turn around and wait for the next wave. Don't waste your energy chasing it into the beach. It won't work.
4) Learn to accept it will sometimes be painful. Getting washed sucks. You can get held under. Your leash might snap. You might get cut on the reef, or get a fin chop. You can only decide if you love surfing, more than you hate getting wiped out by a nasty wave. It's your choice. Crashing gracefully and coming up laughing will make your life easier.
5) It's all about building momentum. If you can't step on the gas, the wave will always pass you by. Learning to read waves consistently, and be in the right place, at the right time, is meaningless unless you have the paddle power to accelerate. At some point, you need to commit and make your move. No exceptions.
6) Learn to be patient. The ocean is still beautiful, even when there are no waves to be seen. Profit from the moment. You might see a sea turtle. Or if you're unlucky, a shark. Appreciate what you've got, while you still have it. Your life will be better if you focus on what's there, rather than what's lacking.
7) The wave lets you ride it. Surfing is a mutual act. You can get closed out unexpectedly. The wave may die out without warning. It may never get started. Or it may turn into the best ride of your life. Don't curse the ocean, or curse yourself. Offer gratitude to the wave for the good time you had (or, collect your broken board and scram), paddle back to the lineup, and wait for the next one.
8) Wearing sunscreen is a good idea. I'm sure you can figure this one out on your own.
