You ever heard the term, “Go with the flow”?
I love being in the ocean. My wife actually calls me a fish. Well it may be in my blood since my aumakua, family god, is the mano (shark).
The word Nalu means – wave, surf, or to ponder, meditate, and reflect. Today, I want to share with you 4 ways on how to be like the waves.
1. Be Patient: Have you ever watched surfers out in the ocean? They sit on their boards, the ocean is still, but they are waiting. They patiently wait for what is soon to approach, a new set of waves.
Finally the sets arrive and the surfers begin to paddle to get in to position. It’s a very interesting thing to watch, those who are experienced no where to go and the non-experienced are a step behind.
Each wave is an opportunity to have an experience, and each missed opportunity is a lesson learned. Patience is what allows you to continue to strive for more opportunities.
2. Don’t Blame Others: Had a junk day? Showed up late to a meeting? Your workout sucked? Sorry but it’s your fault.
My mom always told me, the Hawaiian way is to never turn your back on the ocean.
One day on the shore line of Sandy’s Beach, I watched a group, dressed in non-beach attire, look out at the ocean wanting to take a picture. It was a smaller day at Sandy’s, which is known for it’s strong shore break, but nature is very fickle and has a mind of it’s own.
Sandy’s Beach on the eastside of Oahu, known for it’s shorebreak
The group positioned their backs to the ocean, and I thought, “Never turn your back to the ocean.”
Out of no where, I wave, bigger than usual for that particular day, came up and crashed on the shore soaking the whole group. Two men from the group turned around to the ocean really upset and cursed at the ocean.
Don’t blame the ocean, you’re the idiot who put yourself in that position.
3. Embrace Change:
The changing of the tides come and go. Seasons come and go. Changes come and go. Even a beach infamous for its huge surf can still be appreciated during it’s low times.
Waimea Bay, known for it’s big surf and Eddie Aikau Surf Contest
I’ve experienced many changes in my life, some were very hard to embrace but I’m a better and stronger person now that I have.
There are things that are out of our hands. There’s no sense fighting the change or crying about what you loss. Instead, you should look at it from a different perspective and with expectancy for what’s to come.
When there is change you are given the opportunity to grow, increase your confidence, learn how to adapt, and begin anew - Ho’omaka!
This leads me to the next way…
4. Fighting is Exhausting:
I’m really laid back, maybe a little too much, but every once in awhile I get in funk. I get a little short with my responses which upsets my wife which then turns into a huge whirlwind. Although, I’m laid back, I am also stubborn.
It happens; arguments, misunderstanding, miscommunication, bickering, gossiping, and all that crap. People tend to make things go on forever rather than letting the dust settle.
There are currents in the ocean so strong that they will carry you for hundreds of yards. My grandpa, who was a fisherman and diver, taught me that when you feel the current grab you and it’s too strong for you to handle – don’t fight back or panic. Fighting back will only exhaust you which will then increase the chances of your drowning.
Instead, let the current take you and you will quickly find yourself out in the clear.
Mahalo. Aloha. A hui hou.