Paddle Boating through life
Monday, January 30, 2006
Paddle boating is quite an experience. Getting the boat into the water and myself into the boat without getting into the water is only the first challenge among many. Then comes the disentanglement from the hydrilla which with its long tentacles reach from the bottom as though to grab onto my paddles and hold me in place. But with the help of wooden oars, I can push off from the sandy bottom, apply my feet to the pedals, backing up as fast as I can, and leave the shore. I am open water bound; whereupon, I meet my next challenge: the waves. What appears from the shoreline to be mere ripples in the body of water, suddenly become what at times seem insurmountable mountains of water when viewed from the few inches above water that I am sitting. At times, the water splashes up over the bow of the boat, and when the waves are this high, pedaling becomes quite difficult and a near painful exertion to the knees. I am a tall person and even with my seat all the way in the most backward position, my knees are always bent.
So when, I decide to simply let go and let the boat float along on the waves, stretching out my legs upon the bow and just go with the flow of the water, life could not be any better. The gentle rocking, the warm sun upon my naked skin, for by now I have shed my T-shirt, wet with sweat from my exercise. The wind blows caressingly through my hair and over my face and about my body and I close my eyes, take in a deep breath and smile at the goodness of life.
And then I reach an adjacent shoreline and it is time to get out the oars and push off and reverse the process. Now those very waves that I let carry me where they would, I must now traverse yet once again.
How like life paddle boating is! I exert myself against the flow so many times and then when weary, I take respite from the waves that seem to beat against me. When renewed, I take up the pedals once again and with a burst of renewed energy, I can easily handle the waves to reach my destination; safely and happily at home within myself. Now all is calm and my day is done. And I can gaze upon the ripples on the surface of my life, and know, I have done well and can now take refuge in that quiet, deeper part of my life where there are no ripples or waves; my inner self, and bask in the joy and serenity of that calm place.
Paddle boating is quite an experience. Getting the boat into the water and myself into the boat without getting into the water is only the first challenge among many. Then comes the disentanglement from the hydrilla which with its long tentacles reach from the bottom as though to grab onto my paddles and hold me in place. But with the help of wooden oars, I can push off from the sandy bottom, apply my feet to the pedals, backing up as fast as I can, and leave the shore. I am open water bound; whereupon, I meet my next challenge: the waves. What appears from the shoreline to be mere ripples in the body of water, suddenly become what at times seem insurmountable mountains of water when viewed from the few inches above water that I am sitting. At times, the water splashes up over the bow of the boat, and when the waves are this high, pedaling becomes quite difficult and a near painful exertion to the knees. I am a tall person and even with my seat all the way in the most backward position, my knees are always bent.
So when, I decide to simply let go and let the boat float along on the waves, stretching out my legs upon the bow and just go with the flow of the water, life could not be any better. The gentle rocking, the warm sun upon my naked skin, for by now I have shed my T-shirt, wet with sweat from my exercise. The wind blows caressingly through my hair and over my face and about my body and I close my eyes, take in a deep breath and smile at the goodness of life.
And then I reach an adjacent shoreline and it is time to get out the oars and push off and reverse the process. Now those very waves that I let carry me where they would, I must now traverse yet once again.
How like life paddle boating is! I exert myself against the flow so many times and then when weary, I take respite from the waves that seem to beat against me. When renewed, I take up the pedals once again and with a burst of renewed energy, I can easily handle the waves to reach my destination; safely and happily at home within myself. Now all is calm and my day is done. And I can gaze upon the ripples on the surface of my life, and know, I have done well and can now take refuge in that quiet, deeper part of my life where there are no ripples or waves; my inner self, and bask in the joy and serenity of that calm place.
posted by Sandra | 10:06 AM
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