Waves

Recently a friend and I explored Wisconsin’s Door County.  We explored the woods, shorelines, lighthouses and so much more.  But it was our explorations of the beautiful beaches that hold a lot of meaning.  There, sitting quietly with my feet in the sand watching the waves roll in, I felt my worries melt away.  One day we had a beach to ourselves, perfect for reflecting on how very blessed I have been throughout my life. 

I marveled at how the waves begin small then calling a larger to join, it invites a huge one to roll over both, then on to an even bigger wave.  This got me to thinking how experiences are like waves, from small to colossal.

Witnessing the power of Lake Michigan, I thought about how powerful my life has been.  From a child to this very instant I have been a wave.  My waves travel from far away distances rolling to the shore leaving patterns in the sand to help me succeed, to experience joy and happiness, to bring me love. 

Waves are forming far off into the distance that will bring experiences I can’t see coming.  I don’t know what my future will bring, only that I experience it every day.  I do know that in them is encouragement, strength, inspiration, and even fear, all in my waves.  They are what I need to travel on my next journey. 

The largest wave I’ve ever experienced was when I was introduced to disability.  It was so powerful that it tossed me around everywhere, I started to drown, I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t find the sky above.  Once it rolled over me, I was left covered in sand.  For years I tried to rinse it off, to clearly see the sky, to find the ground I was walking on, to understand the world where I was washed to shore.   

Then small waves arrived, gently guiding me, sharing with me ways to breathe again.  Providing me with tools to strip away the sand.  A larger one arrived, it assured me I  had what I needed to understand the new world I was in.  Over and over new waves came to me, each giving me power to move on.  Each pointing me in the direction of healing. 

More huge waves arrived to fiercely roll over me but in a different way.  I was terrified yet somehow, I felt it was going to be okay.  I knew I had what  I needed to work through them. 

When life hits me in ways that blind me from seeing the sky, I ride the waves.  Who knows where they’ll take me, but I can assure you each one, even the huge scary ones, my experiences will pull me through.  

Put your toes in the sand, ride your waves, allow them to take you on a voyage to healing, to power, to strength, to anywhere you wish to go.  It’s quite a ride, but I know you can do it.

Let your light shine.