Let me share a story with you that I promise has a BIG life lesson that you can apply to your own life…

I caught my first wave 5 years ago off the coast of Sydney, Australia during our honeymoon.⁣ After that moment I was hooked & I committed to mastering the art of surfing until the day I die.

Until this past week, all my surfing had been instructor assisted. Those of you who have taken surf lessons know it’s waaaayyy easier to pop up & ride because the instructor literally pushes you into the wave. After a few lessons, I told myself, “I WILL hit a wave all on my own. It will happen as long as I commit to myself & the learning process.”⁣ ⁣

This anniversary trip, I committed to ride on my own - no instructor, no teacher, no lessons - I felt ready after 5 years of sporadic training all across the world. I let go of any expectations & chose to embrace what the ocean had in store for me, despite the locals bashing the conditions.

The morning set was 𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘩𝘩𝘩…poor conditions, salt water up my nose & in my eyes, sand in all orifices of my body, tumbling in the spirals of the water, surf board nailing me in the ribs, smacking my foot on a rock - kind of rough. I pulled myself out of the water after about an hour & slunk down next to Ben (my husband) trying to catch my breath.

I felt defeated & told myself I was done for the day. I rested, reflected, ate a snack, had some water, & mustered up the courage to try again. What did I have to lose?

I took a deep breath, hopped on my board & started paddling. The waves were picking up & looked better this time. I looked out & saw a nice one building. I then looked at the lady swimming next to me who also saw the same wave coming.

She smiled & said, “You got this - GO GO GO!”⁣ ⁣ She was cheering for me. How sweet.⁣

I smiled back, looked up at the sky & said quietly…⁣ ⁣ “Ok GUS (God/Universe/Source)…show me whatcha got,”⁣ ⁣ & I let go of control or trying to make it happen.

The wave hit me from behind at the perfect moment of my paddle. I could hear the words of my former teachers in my head …⁣ ⁣ “Stay calm, follow the sequence. Let the ocean do the work.”⁣

I pushed up to my arms, then knees, then boom …to my feet!⁣ I rode it for about 4-5 seconds before the wave died down. It was messy, but I did it! What a rush. I had caught my first wave all on my own…5 years of on & off training building to this moment.⁣

What I love most about surfing is how metaphorical it is for life:⁣ ⁣

● Sometimes you crush a wave with people cheering you on.

● Other times, the ocean humbles you good where all you can do is surrender. And let go.

● Don’t believe everything you hear, including the pessimists - your external conditions do not have to dictate your reality. ⁣ ⁣

And most of all…⁣ ⁣

No matter how much sand you get in your suit or how many times you smack your foot against the rocks…⁣ ⁣

𝘿𝙤. 𝙉𝙤𝙩. 𝙂𝙞𝙫𝙚. 𝙐𝙥.⁣ ⁣

You never know how one last shot will be the moment you trained your entire life for.

And In that moment - a whole world of possibilities opens up. Because you didn’t give up on you.

And because you didn’t give up, the Universe rewards you. Big time.

You just have to listen, surrender, & let go of all expectations of how your ego 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘴 it’s suppose to go…& watch the beautiful waves of life unfold right in front of your eyes.

With you every WAVE of the way, Dr. Mel & The Inspire Team