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Post by jenjie on Sept 4, 2016 21:43:57 GMT
I posted on my vacation thread that among other things, my teens took surfing lessons. (BTW the surf and parasailing pics were not mine, I bought the photo package). Ds18 and my friend's 12 yo dd did the best out of the 6 of them. Here is a clip of ds riding a wave. vimeo.com/181419348The kids started learning how to make the waves work for them. Which to pass on, when you fall off it's no biggie, you get back on and try again. And sometimes you get to ride the wave. Me? I only went in the ocean because of ds11. It was cold! I braced for every wave, and as a result the muscles in my back and neck tightened up. Brace against the wave, and it slams into you, jolts and hurts you. But lean into the wave, work with the current, and learn how to make them work for you, and something pretty cool might come out of it. I think there's a life lesson to be had in this. I read and haven't (yet anyway) commented on the "does everything happen for a reason" thread. My question is, how do we respond to what we're given? When the waves of life threaten to knock us down, we can brace ourselves against them or learn to ride them. I *think* I'm learning to ride the waves. Go with the current. Allow them to take me under and then get up and try again. And then sometimes - cowabunga! I get the thrill of riding it out. Does it make any sense? I'm still playing around with it in my head. |
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Post by Linda on Sept 4, 2016 21:49:11 GMT
Thank you - I always read your posts but don't always respond but I'm getting SO much from what you post - and this post is no exception. THANK you for sharing your journey and your Faith - you are a true inspiration
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caro
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Post by caro on Sept 4, 2016 21:51:17 GMT
I like what you said Jen.
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Post by leftturnonly on Sept 4, 2016 22:04:26 GMT
Yes, it makes sense.
That's the only way we've made it through thus far. Life can hammer at you until you don't even have anything left to fight back with; all you can do is hang on and ride with the waves.
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purplebee
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Post by purplebee on Sept 4, 2016 22:35:29 GMT
Yes! But sometimes such a hard lesson to put into practice.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Sept 4, 2016 22:49:42 GMT
This moved me to tears. It is exactly how I have been learning to live with the things thrown my way.
Whenever I do the what ifs, or get resentful, about what others have, or what I *think* I should have, (house, husband, income), I am FIGHTING the waves.
When I focus on all the good I have in my life , I am letting it flow through me.
When I get brave, and reach for something new and fun, and maybe I couldn't do in my old life, I am riding those waves!!
There is no way of avoiding the pain of your grief and loss. I'm so sorry you and your children have to deal with this.
But there is learning to love the life you have.
Thank you for your post!
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Post by gramasue on Sept 4, 2016 22:50:57 GMT
Jen, there definitely is a life lesson there. My Mom had a little book in which she wrote inspirational quotes, and my favourite is the one I have here, at the bottom of my post.
I believe that you can "ride the wave" and come out ahead. It takes a lot of determination and strength and trust but it can be done!
Thanks for being an inspiration to us here at the pod!
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scrappinwithoutpeas
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Post by scrappinwithoutpeas on Sept 4, 2016 23:13:01 GMT
Jen, there definitely is a life lesson there. My Mom had a little book in which she wrote inspirational quotes, and my favourite is the one I have here, at the bottom of my post. I believe that you can "ride the wave" and come out ahead. It takes a lot of determination and strength and trust but it can be done!Thanks for being an inspiration to us here at the pod!I couldn't have said it better so I'll take the easy way out and say "what gramasue said". Hugs to you jenjie! You really put into words one of the hardest truisms to follow through on when life slams you, but the payoff for "riding the waves" is huge and your words of inspiration paint a great mental image of that!  Save |
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Post by mikklynn on Sept 4, 2016 23:19:40 GMT
Yes, it makes perfect sense.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
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Post by jenjie on Sept 4, 2016 23:37:53 GMT
Thank you - I always read your posts but don't always respond but I'm getting SO much from what you post - and this post is no exception. THANK you for sharing your journey and your Faith - you are a true inspiration Thank you Linda for your kind words ❤️ |
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Post by jenjie on Sept 4, 2016 23:46:10 GMT
This moved me to tears. It is exactly how I have been learning to live with the things thrown my way. Whenever I do the what ifs, or get resentful, about what others have, or what I *think* I should have, (house, husband, income), I am FIGHTING the waves. When I focus on all the good I have in my life , I am letting it flow through me. When I get brave, and reach for something new and fun, and maybe I couldn't do in my old life, I am riding those waves!! There is no way of avoiding the pain of your grief and loss. I'm so sorry you and your children have to deal with this. But there is learning to love the life you have. Thank you for your post! Yes. For me I think some of the fighting the waves might be when I kept trying to tell myself everything is fine. For others in my position they so badly want what they can no longer have that they refuse to move past it. I was talking with somebody here and I said I refuse to remain stuck. I can't allow that to happen to me. Today the water is figuratively freezing and my head keeps going under. But maybe tomorrow I'll get back on that stupid surfboard and try again. ETA this week I was telling God "I need my husband. He's not here so You're going to have to stand in." I realized this was the first time I allowed myself to admit I not only wanted him here but needed him. Leaning into the wave. It's a scary place to be. This is what I got in response. “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2 NLT |
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Post by jenjie on Sept 4, 2016 23:47:27 GMT
Jen, there definitely is a life lesson there. My Mom had a little book in which she wrote inspirational quotes, and my favourite is the one I have here, at the bottom of my post. I believe that you can "ride the wave" and come out ahead. It takes a lot of determination and strength and trust but it can be done! Thanks for being an inspiration to us here at the pod! Thank you gramasue. ❤️ I'm posting from my phone. What is your quote? |
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Post by jenjie on Sept 4, 2016 23:49:54 GMT
Jen, there definitely is a life lesson there. My Mom had a little book in which she wrote inspirational quotes, and my favourite is the one I have here, at the bottom of my post. I believe that you can "ride the wave" and come out ahead. It takes a lot of determination and strength and trust but it can be done!Thanks for being an inspiration to us here at the pod!I couldn't have said it better so I'll take the easy way out and say "what gramasue said". Hugs to you jenjie! You really put into words one of the hardest truisms to follow through on when life slams you, but the payoff for "riding the waves" is huge and your words of inspiration paint a great mental image of that! SaveWow thanks scrappinwithoutpeas 😊 |
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peagia13
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Sept 2, 2016 19:52:32 GMT
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Post by peagia13 on Sept 4, 2016 23:53:31 GMT
Gotta hang loose.
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Post by gramasue on Sept 5, 2016 0:38:50 GMT
Jen, there definitely is a life lesson there. My Mom had a little book in which she wrote inspirational quotes, and my favourite is the one I have here, at the bottom of my post. I believe that you can "ride the wave" and come out ahead. It takes a lot of determination and strength and trust but it can be done! Thanks for being an inspiration to us here at the pod! Thank you gramasue . ❤️ I'm posting from my phone. What is your quote? Every day is a new little life. Fill it with gladness if you can; with couraqe if you can't. |
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Post by jenjie on Sept 5, 2016 0:51:39 GMT
Thank you gramasue . ❤️ I'm posting from my phone. What is your quote? Every day is a new little life. Fill it with gladness if you can; with couraqe if you can't. I like that. A lot. Thanks. |
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janeinbama
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Post by janeinbama on Sept 5, 2016 0:54:03 GMT
Sometimes floating is all you can do and that is enough. Glad you and the kids had a good time.
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Post by destined2bmom on Sept 5, 2016 1:18:42 GMT
I love your insight and understanding.
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Post by iteach3rdgrade on Sept 5, 2016 1:20:42 GMT
I'm glad you had a good trip! You should put these thoughts into a book.
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bethany102399
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Post by bethany102399 on Sept 5, 2016 1:26:24 GMT
Yes! But sometimes such a hard lesson to put into practice. Totally this. I also feel if you're standing on the shore, the tide can be full of action, threatening to pull you under, but even when you're in the middle of the mess, trying not to be pulled under, at some point the tide will recede, and it can leave behind treasures. |
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eleezybeth
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Post by eleezybeth on Sept 5, 2016 1:32:18 GMT
I had a similar experience. I'm almost a full blown control freak. On a scale of 1-10 I'm a 9. Okay, 9.7. It is really hard for me to not be in control. People expect me to be in control or in charge or making the decision or the one who will figure it out. Bucket list was to sky dive. So, I did it. It was a tandem jump in which a little man was strapped to my back and controlled my every move. I probably had him by 6" and 20lbs but while in the little plane I paid to be on opened it's doors, there I was, completely out of control. That little man rocked my butt right out the door (as if I paid him to do this!) and I was aghast. I had NO control. NONE. First time in my life that I had NO control. NO choices. NO input. Those ships had sailed. I had a choice - enjoy or try and control. If I would have taken control I would have died. So in order to live, I had to give up control which was totally against my inner being. Imagine that life lesson as you are screaming towards the Earth.
Every now and again when I'm all worked up over something I remember that. I throw my arms up and just enjoy the ride. It isn't easy but sometimes you have to just enjoy the scenery, feel the wind in your hair and trust the little man strapped to your back.
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Post by leftturnonly on Sept 5, 2016 2:20:17 GMT
I had a similar experience. I'm almost a full blown control freak. On a scale of 1-10 I'm a 9. Okay, 9.7. It is really hard for me to not be in control. People expect me to be in control or in charge or making the decision or the one who will figure it out. Bucket list was to sky dive. So, I did it. It was a tandem jump in which a little man was strapped to my back and controlled my every move. I probably had him by 6" and 20lbs but while in the little plane I paid to be on opened it's doors, there I was, completely out of control. That little man rocked my butt right out the door (as if I paid him to do this!) and I was aghast. I had NO control. NONE. First time in my life that I had NO control. NO choices. NO input. Those ships had sailed. I had a choice - enjoy or try and control. If I would have taken control I would have died. So in order to live, I had to give up control which was totally against my inner being. Imagine that life lesson as you are screaming towards the Earth. Every now and again when I'm all worked up over something I remember that. I throw my arms up and just enjoy the ride. It isn't easy but sometimes you have to just enjoy the scenery, feel the wind in your hair and trust the little man strapped to your back. You just described the last 9 1/2 years of my life. |
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StephDRebel
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Post by StephDRebel on Sept 5, 2016 2:26:38 GMT
I love this post beyond words
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Post by ilikepink on Sept 5, 2016 2:45:09 GMT
Jen, you hit the nail on the head - as you usually do!
Two years ago when I was buying my house, the wave is the exact analogy I used - just try and go with the force that was moving me, not to fight it. Totally on a different scale than you and others have gone through, but the analogy was the same. I even changed the screen saver on my phone to a surfer.
You have to go with what life gives you. Bottom line.
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Post by KB on Sept 5, 2016 3:03:07 GMT
That's a wonderful lesson! I love when I take time to learn through nature. I thought you may like THIS ARTICLE:Here are seven inspiring life lessons taken from the different waves of our world. Be free. Move like racing waves across the surface of life. Ripple towards what your heart desires. Be bold. Don’t be afraid to make a splash when facing new shores. Be yielding. Water can crash, but it can also give. Be gentle, generous and patient. Be purposeful. Even the smallest pebble on the ocean floor has a purpose in the greater picture. Let every action be one of intention and meaning. Be peaceful. While storms may visit, they never last, and calm waters will triumph once more. Be beautiful. Catch the sunlight. Shimmer under the moon. Rise and be seen! Be harmonious. The sea supports all kinds of life, large and small – make space for the opposites to coexist. Above all the ocean teaches us this – we are all connected. Everything we do echoes into the universe, and even the smallest changes can build into positive life momentum. |
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Post by Flibbertigibbet on Sept 5, 2016 3:08:39 GMT
This reminds me of the roller coast scene in Parenthood (the movie). Definately one of the best life lessons.
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Post by jenjie on Sept 5, 2016 3:17:39 GMT
I'm glad you had a good trip! You should put these thoughts into a book. Maybe someday  |
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Post by jenjie on Sept 5, 2016 3:18:19 GMT
Yes! But sometimes such a hard lesson to put into practice. Totally this. I also feel if you're standing on the shore, the tide can be full of action, threatening to pull you under, but even when you're in the middle of the mess, trying not to be pulled under, at some point the tide will recede, and it can leave behind treasures. Yessss! |
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Post by jenjie on Sept 5, 2016 3:19:33 GMT
That's a wonderful lesson! I love when I take time to learn through nature. I thought you may like THIS ARTICLE:Here are seven inspiring life lessons taken from the different waves of our world. Be free. Move like racing waves across the surface of life. Ripple towards what your heart desires. Be bold. Don’t be afraid to make a splash when facing new shores. Be yielding. Water can crash, but it can also give. Be gentle, generous and patient. Be purposeful. Even the smallest pebble on the ocean floor has a purpose in the greater picture. Let every action be one of intention and meaning. Be peaceful. While storms may visit, they never last, and calm waters will triumph once more. Be beautiful. Catch the sunlight. Shimmer under the moon. Rise and be seen! Be harmonious. The sea supports all kinds of life, large and small – make space for the opposites to coexist. Above all the ocean teaches us this – we are all connected. Everything we do echoes into the universe, and even the smallest changes can build into positive life momentum. Thank you! |
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Post by jenjie on Sept 5, 2016 3:20:21 GMT
Jen, you hit the nail on the head - as you usually do! Two years ago when I was buying my house, the wave is the exact analogy I used - just try and go with the force that was moving me, not to fight it. Totally on a different scale than you and others have gone through, but the analogy was the same. I even changed the screen saver on my phone to a surfer. You have to go with what life gives you. Bottom line. No way! I love it. |
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