Riding the Waves

Yesterday, I had the privilege of spending a few quiet moments at the beach as the sun was getting ready to set. The sand was empty of people, the cool wind brushed lightly against my face and the waves crashed gently against the shore. I felt an inner peace while simultaneously marveling at the expansive beauty of Hashem’s world. And while I sat there soaking up those few minutes of relaxation, it dawned on me that we have much to learn from the ocean.

The ocean is filled with a vast array of life, and much of it cannot be seen from our vantage point above the water. A lot of unknown lies beneath the place where the water touches the sky. We sometimes venture into the water carefully, watching each step as we tiptoe forward as slowly as we can. Other times,

we jump right in with complete abandon. Sometimes the waves are gentle and other times they slap us harshly in the face or can even have the strength to knock us down. And when those waves come, we have a choice- do we run from them or do we ride them, allowing them to take us in the direction we are meant to go, trusting in the one above who is navigating those waves in the first place?

If we were to stop and compare the ocean to our daily lives, we would find an opportunity to grow. Life has many ups and downs. Some of our challenges are predictable while others may surprise us. Sometimes our hardships can build slowly, and sometimes they just show up uninvited at our doorstep. But what we do with those challenges is up to us. If we realize that those waves are there to help us learn what we are made of, we may decide to stare right back at them and ride them to the top. It’s true the water is salty and sometimes may sting our eyes. Those are the tough moments we need to push through. So often however, we find a clear day, with soft winds and calm waters. The water has the power to refresh us, our days flow the way we expect them to and we need to take the time to admire them and say thank you. Noticing the good helps us deal with the bad. And knowing who is blowing that wind to control those waves in the first place allows us hold on tight and enjoy the ride.