"Are We There Yet?"
by Paul Finley
Any of us who have kids know that we don't have
to teach them to ask this question. In fact, anyone that has gone
anywhere or done anything that requires some form of patience has
probably said or thought this themselves.
My family and I went a few short hours north of Morro Bay to camp near
some majestic redwood trees. We were hiking down a little trail that
had markers for some trees of interest. They had numbers on them, so
our oldest decided this was more of a race than an experience to relax
and take in. As they raced to each marker I caught up and said,
"Guys, slow down, look up . . . aren't these trees amazing?" Well, I
wish I could say that my three and four year old kids were keenly
relating to my excitement, but alas, the race went on. My wife and I
enjoyed the trees and smiled as our girls enjoyed their foot race,
never looking up into the forest of majesty.
Surfing is something that confuses me many times. I will sit and
stare at the ocean. I will watch waves roll through and surfers ride
them with their endlessly unique styles and board shapes and sizes, and I
think to myself, "It is just so amazing that we can do this." If you
watch a surfer glide across the water close to the curl or "pocket" of
the wave it is truly an amazing thing taking place. Energy, balance,
power, and grace all wrapped up in to this burst of excitement that
lasts for only a few seconds before completion. That swell, that set,
that wave will never be repeated. The reality of surfing and part of
the joy that comes from being a surfer is that little moments are
savored and cherished.
We are truly blessed to live in such a wonderful natural masterpiece
like the Central Coast. It would be a terrible tragedy to allow
years, months, days, and moments to slip by without asking the appropriate
question of not "Are we there yet?" but "Truly, are we even here yet?"
We can be a great people if we keep in balance the destination and the
journey. If we abandon one we will loose them both.
May every wave, sunset, hill top, sandy beach, or grassy field not be
taken for granted. More importantly, every smile or laugh, moment with
loved ones, friends, or a broken heart, we have an opportunity, like a
wave that will never be repeated, to act in love, cherish justice, and
seek truth.
What to look for in May's article?
Board Design . . . What makes a board faster?
Ding repair . . . How to fix a rail ding properly?
Animals . . . What is that bird's name? A look at some birds you may
see from the water.
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