Ride or Dive?

*Disclaimer: I am not a surfer, so don’t use this as a surfing lesson. ..and that is NOT me — YET!

As I watched the surfers in Hawaii, I wondered, “how do they decide whether to ride the wave or dive into it”?  Sometimes they see the swell, paddle like hell, and just when you think they should stand up and shout, “COWABUNGA”, they dive right into the smooth underbelly of the wave and live to see another day.  Other times, they stand up, yell “COWABUNGA” and ride it like they own it.  “I’M KING OF THE WORLD”.

All right, I’ve never heard them actually yell “COWAGUNGA” or “I’M KING OF THE WORLD”, but I know they are saying something in their heads.  Probably some combination of swear words about your momma.  

“Cowabunga” is for baby boarders, or never-boarders, like me. . . It’s probably a “no” on the “King of the World” shout out as well.

But, I digress.

The real question is, do you ride it or dive?  Daily, if I have the sense and wherewithall, I will ask myself, “Ride it or dive, Heather, which will it be”?   If I am particularly ballsy, I will ride.  It is crazy scary up there, but very exhilarating and worth the risk.  If the wave is too big for a rookie like me, I will dive and avoid the bodily and/or mental harm.  Sometimes I see people that have chosen to ride, when they most certainly should have dove.  (Is that a word – dove?)

Obviously, I am not talking about surfing.  There are sharks out there, for God’s sake.  And swimming is required.  I’ve never seen a surfer with water wings.  That would be shameful.  Even the sharks would be embarrassed for me.  They might just eat me out of pity for the other surfers.

I am talking about daily forks in the road.  Left or right.  Yes or no.  Ride or dive?

Should I go ahead with my latest invention plan?  I have a couple in my head.  I’ve been diving, not riding.  But, after my last birthday when the scales have started tipping toward the latter part of my life, I’m thinking I need to start riding that wave.

Should I get involved in my daughter’s latest friend issue?  Seems like an obvious dive, but I am inclined to ride.  Only a crazy person would ride.  I justify my meddling with the fact I believe that I have so much I can tell her that would help.  But, most times she doesn’t listen.  If I ride, I am sure to be eaten by a shark.  (The sharks, they are always circling in my world.)  Or worse, face her when my advice goes wrong.  If I paddle like hell, then dive, it won’t be worth the energy I exert. In the end, it’s her wave; I think I have to let her have it.  No diving or riding, just watching.

So, there it is -- a third choice. One that has taken me many years to discover and embrace.  Keep my place in the water. Quietly paddle. Watch, breathe, wait. Some waves need to be claimed by someone else while some waves are neither yours nor someone else’s.  They are just waves.  Either way, there is no action required on my part, except to still myself. Breathe. This approach is very tough for me, but often the wisest. Those that do this might be the best surfers, the ones that let some waves pass by.  Even paddle out of the way, to avoid it.  When I am all grown up, I want to be that kind of surfer. One that knows when it is time to float on the board and enjoy the wave as it passes by. And maybe even learn a thing or two from more experienced surfers.

I’ve heard they have some very attractive water wings these days. I’m goin’ in! COWAGUNGA!