Waves

People are fascinated by the ocean, and make intentional journeys to be by its side, and enter its realm.  Its motion has a strong attraction.  To one standing in the ocean, waves are many faceted.  Waves stir the water, so that no water molecule stays in one place and gets stagnant.  As the waves come in, we are being bombarded by new water molecules at any point in time.  Waves bring loose items; seaweed, rocks, flotilla, debris, etc.  But these items do not stay, they come, can be observed, and they go.  Waves come in a variety of strengths; some as light ripples, some extremely powerful, and the ones in between.  The light ones are less noticeable, and are less apt to have an apparent effect.  The strong ones can be seen from a distance, and can be anticipated and prepared for, so as not to be knocked around.  In deeper water, one can ride out the wave; moving with its smooth motion.  It’s when the wave is at the end of the journey, landing in shallow water that it can be startling, crashing hard, stirring the land underneath, and clouding the water.  Although the smaller waves individually do not stir as violently, there are many more of them, and their combined actions ultimately have as much or more of an affect as the stronger waves.

Am I aware of the waves occurring in my own life?  Am I aware of the many bombardments that come at me on a daily basis?  Do I hang on to the debris that comes to me, or do I observe as it comes and goes?  Do I get strangled in the seaweed, or do I take steps and maneuver so that it goes around me? Am I willing to go deeper into the water of life, where I can experience riding the waves, rather than being blind-sided when they come crashing down as I stand near the shore.

Even more so, what waves am I creating?  Are they loud and noisy?  Are they the ones that send gentle nudges as they move?  Am I sending out smooth waves, or ones with cutting edges?  Every action I take sends out ripples.  These ripples, whether large or small, ultimately have an effect on those around me; spouse, children, co-workers, friends, and anyone else that I come in contact with. Or am I standing still, being dormant, and not transmitting any motion at all?  Dormancy sends a different energy; the dead, filthy smell of stagnation.

At last, am I aware that all of the waves, both the ones created by others, and the ones I create, are part of the larger life sea?  Let me be aware today.