Water entrances me.

 

The peaceful sound of it splashing against the shore, the mesmerizing way the sun glistens and dances on the top, and watching the ripples cascade out from the movement of animals at play.

 

We can all learn lessons from the water. I often find myself using water as a metaphor in regards to where I’m at in life or using characteristics to see who I am as a person.

 

Lately, I have been craving a need to be more like water.

 

Fluid.

All encompassing.

Vast and deep.

Persistent.

 

All traits that I am and yet, that I strive to be more of.

 

Notice how when the tides rise and encroach the shore, taking over their turf for the time being. Washing away what no longer serves it. Making life for new. The water carries the weight out into the vast, deep, and somewhat terrifying middle.  

 

You know that place.

The place where we can no longer touch, it’s hard to see the shore, and the uneasiness that settles in your stomach wondering if you’ll make it back again.

 

Yeah, that middle.

 

We all have tides in our lives. You know….treading for our lives or dipping our toes in. It’s either all in or standing on the shore wishing to go all in.

 

Am I out to sea, treading for dear life because I know that’s where I’m supposed to be? Or am I stuck on the shore, waves splashing around my ankles, yearning for the sea to take me away and wash me anew?

 

Right now I’m stuck on shore. I feel the cool, salty sea tickling my legs, washing over my feet as they sink further into the wet sand. I long for the middle of the ocean and yet fear is holding me tight. All the “what if’s” come into my head.

 

What if I get disorientated and don’t know my way back?

What if I tread so long that I just give up?

What if I drown?

 

And yet…

What if I learn how to swim?

What if someone comes along with a life preserver?

What if the water washes me back to shore, like it’s supposed to? Or maybe a new shore because I’m a different person than I was when I first jumped in?

 

Tiptoeing in the water isn’t going to help me. I need to jump in, both feet. I’ll never know if I can swim if I don’t leave the shore. I need to trust that when the time is right, just as the water consistently and persistently does, I will wash back up on shore.

 

Stronger.

Experienced.

Evolved.

Infinite.

 

Now is the time.

 

Jump in. Let the waves take you away. Crash among tides. Learn how to float. Better yet, learn how to swim with the tides.

 

Go deep and let the water carry you back to shore.