LIfe Experience

I was standing in the walk way looking out at the ocean on another sunny day in Hawaii. All was normal on this day with big waves accompanied by tons of people. Little did I know that this day would challenge my body's ability to stay calm in a fight or flight situation. After getting a couple waves the last one that day change my entire outlook on life. First I was paddling and the next thing I know I am stuck in between the reef looking up at the glare of the sun shinning through the water. Not the normal day in paradise most people would expect.

During this time I spent underwater, which seemed like an eternity, I was wrestling with the thoughts of dying as well as staying calm so I could get myself out of this mess. I was taught when a situation like this occurs to keep your eyes open, look for a gap in the reef, and push off when there is a break in the waves. Training and actual experiences are two completely different situations and not matter how I trained I would never be ready for this day.

As I was gaining my composure and telling myself to stay calm so I can make it out I felt a sense of relief because the ocean is my second home. It took me a while to understand this but once I did I could feel the water begin to slow down and that is when I made the move. I shot out of this god forsaken hole in the reef and poked my head out of the water as if I were a sea turtle only to be struck by yet another on coming wave. Thankfully that wave took me close enough to shore so I was out of trouble. I was ALIVE!

Sitting there on the beach, broken board and cuts all over, I had a slight grin on my face. I know that I had probably become to confident in the ocean and she was just letting my know who was in charge. I sat there with looking at a sunset that, to me, was the most beautiful thing in the entire world with a beer in hand thinking about how the day change from the start to that moment. I will never forget this day for the rest of my life.