Serious Surfing

GOOD MORNING TRANSFORMATION NATION!!!

Continuing the theme of Interrupting habits and routines, unconscious “programs” and cultural conditioning this week…

You may notice (or maybe not) that this post is ready in the MORNING. I’ve been doing them in the AFTERNOON…

I’m constantly looking to find ways to “surf” the flow of my days so that I get the most done in ways that most easily flow from one thing to another…

I’m not sure why but I’ve been a little bit OBSESSED with surfing lately…

Probably because I live in Albany NY and it’s starting to get colder and watching people surf in places like Hawaii is MOTIVATING to me…

Whatever the case, I’ve been thinking and talking about surfing a lot lately. I’m on a tear. I can’t seem to get enough. So I’m “following the thread.”

This video highlights the intensity and attitudes of 4 professional surfers and the preparation, commitment and mind set that enables them to put their lives on the line in some of the biggest, most dangerous waves on the planet…

My point all along is that we ALL need to live our lives with this attitude.

Any day could be our last. Make today count. Be a contender. Stop coasting along with the same old same old, “that’s good enough” attitude. Go for the best wave you can and surf the HELL out of it.

A couple of other thoughts that popped into my mind after I watched this video:

1. Isn’t it interesting that we humans can take something that was originally just for fun… and turn it into a highly competitive SERIOUS sport? Not saying that’s good or bad, just imagine if you could turn your life into a “sport”… whatever that might mean for you. And take your life, your work as seriously and intensely as these guys… It’s the same in music. Most of us “professional” musicians were drawn to music because it was deeply, deeply moving, emotionally connecting and just plain downright fun. And then somewhere along the line we start thinking that we “should” make a living doing it… Sometimes  that takes the fun out of it. But it doesn’t have to.
2. Even though women are definitely a growing part of the sport of surfing, there seems to be something in surfing for young men that our culture does not provide anymore, namely, the ability to face danger and hone one’s courage and physical skills as well as engage in friendly (and often fierce) competition. In past generations this was a natural part of men growing up and contributing to the community by hunting and defending the tribe. Hunting is a dangerous and physically demanding activity that demands alertness, strength, skill, endurance, team work, and wisdom along with the satisfaction of serving the “tribe”. And surfers are definitely a “tribe”. I think there is something definitely missing from the lives of many men today which may explain why so many are drawn to online gaming where they can safely engage in the internal experiences they don’t get in our culture. (remember your unconscious mind does not know the difference between what is “real” and what is happening on your internal mental movie screen.
3. Also notice that at least one of the surfers, works out with a personal trainer who CHALLENGES him when he wants to quit. I think that component is extremely important for all of us. I work with a couple coaches who challenge me DAILY to put my ideas into action. When I work with clients, that’s partly my role as well. I do not “fix” anybody. I teach, I train, I encourage, I challenge… Most of the time gently. LOL. But there is always an investment and commitment with no guarantee of immediate results. None of these surfers is “guaranteed” to win any completion or to even LIVE another day (which leads me to my next thought).
4. These surfers are also well aware that people die surfing. But I bet if you asked them they would insist that they would rather die surfing than die from sitting in an office chair all day… slowly (and I’m already working on a post for tomorrow that addresses this issue…)

Und now I must catch the next wave…of my day…

Here’s what I’m working on next: I’m setting up the beta test invitation page today for my “Stop Smoking Dammit” course which I made last Spring but then set aside to work on my CRUSH anxiety NOW and CRUSH anxiety FOREVER Courses.

Although it’s specifically for quitting smoking, the “getting ready to quit” modules are perfect for pretty much any change you want to make in your life…

If you want to go deeper with that check out this link: “Stop Smoking Dammit” course

(just give me a chance to get something up there that you can “click” on)

in the mean time…

COWABUNGAH BABY!

rock your life today ok?

(and I will see YOU on the INSIDE!)

– Mark

p.s. If any of you are local to Albany NY you might want to join me and some of my best musical friends, Roger Mock, Mike Covey, Zelda Hotaling, Leslie Thornton and some surprise buds for  the Unity Church “OneSong” evening musical meditation from 6-7 pm Sunday November 22 at Unity Church in Albany 21 King Ave, Albany NY 12206. We will be “surfing the sound” an you can add your voice as well.

photo credit – Copyright: trubavin / 123RF Stock Photo