If you spend time out on the ocean waves, you begin to notice patterns in the ebbs and flows. At times, a torrent begins to concentrate on the horizon, and comes crashing quickly. The experienced surfer understands that the very first rush isn’t always the largest or grandest wave. It’s often the subsequent one or two streams that provide the highest drops, and the stronger momentum.
An interesting challenge arises when the inexperienced surfer rushes to capture the early signs of the wave, and rides it to as much as they can, often resulting in a bailed ride. The crawl back to catch those subsequent waves becomes near impossible. It’s a counter current battle.
That’s not to say you can’t get back to the peak waves, but the amount of energy required can often double or triple. You might even spend your entire energy reserve reaching to get back to the wave only to find that the rush is gone.
A key insight here is that although the wave disappears and is gone, it will come again. The ocean continues to move, and continues to bring powerful energy forth. It will only be a little while before you can catch the next rise of the water, and the next flow to move you forward.
You can always fight and move forward. It will not necessarily mean detrimental impact. You can also sit in the flow, and work on your balance, breath, and natural state of presence when you’re in the middle of life. Focus on the way you rise, and fall, and enjoy it. When the waves come, they will come quickly, and you can either ride it, let it pass, or fall into the water. Each with its very own benefits and lessons.