Lessons I learned from a surfer

Many times problems arise like huge waves in the ocean.
Sometimes we find ourselves feeling overwhelmed, drowning and with no life vest, surf board or anything to hold us up. Problems keep coming like waves, crashing and sinking us further down, while the sharks lurk around waiting for the opportunity to attack. It can seem hopeless to try to stay afloat and the thought of giving up might come to mind.
Some might self-medicate, which is like finding a board floating nearby and holding on to it to stay above water, yet these temporary solutions do not get us anywhere near the shore nor teach us how to handle problems effectively.
Some are satisfied with  just holding on to the board as long as the waves don't get big. Some hope that life doesn't change so they don't have to change.
But it is impossible to live life without facing challenges. An ocean without waves is not an ocean.
The way to live life is not holding on to a little board hoping it'll be enough to keep us afloat. The way to live life is by learning how to face those challenges and see them as opportunities instead, learn to surf them.

The following are some lessons I learned from a surfer:

• Surfers never give their backs to the ocean. We face our problems, not ignore them. Surfers show the ocean respect and reasonable caution as we should when we are facing a problem needed to be resolved. 
• Surfers learn to read the waves, predict their patterns. We need to learn our own patterns of behaviors, our common reactions to events and situations and change the ones that don't serve us.
• Surfers avoid surfing after a storm. We have to get to know ourselves and our own vulnerabilities. If we are tired, hungry or with little sleep we are not going to be as effective managing situations as if we were in balance and taking care of ourselves.  
• Surfers learn which waves to ride and which ones to go under and let pass. Problems can be seen as opportunities for growth and expansion, or they can teach us humility and compassion. 
• Surfers get back up if they are thrown off. It's not about setting unattainable expectations and think that we can master every issue but maintaining hope and perseverance.
• Surfers want the big waves because they give them the best chances to go through the tube. Problems that seem big can be excellent opportunities to look within and explore our inner strengths as well as our limiting beliefs. When we go within, we can find that peace surfers experience when they are in the tube.
• Surfers wait patiently and enjoy their communion with nature. We need to take time for ourselves, to recharge our batteries and be around nature.
• Real surfers respect each other and respect the environment. We must do the same, starting with respecting and honoring ourselves, saying no when we mean no and yes when we mean yes. Resting when we are tired and eating when we are hungry. Respecting ourselves and each other.
• Surfers are in the present moment, being aware and trusting their instincts. There is not point on dwelling in the past or worrying about the future that we cannot be changed. The only time is the present and is the best time to be in, experiencing life just as it is, accepting it radically. 

I am grateful for all the simple lessons I learned from a surfer. It made so much sense to me how their approach to the ocean can related to life in general.

Next big wave comes, let's paddle into it and come out saying, "that was some gnarly swell, dude!".