I am a Cynical Old Woman

Yes, it’s true I am a cynical old woman.

Yesterday, I was reading a thread on Facebook, in the group Fernandina Surfers. The post addressed the issues of lifeguarding, in the time of pandemic. It touched a nerve in me, that was yet, another one of those issues of aging.

The word that set me off in their dialogue was “enforcement”. I dislike enforcement, therefore, according to the dictionary, I am cynical.

I made the simple comment, of having mixed feelings, concerning lifeguards. Some, white haired, old man named Bert, called me a cynical old woman. I know lifeguards have their place, but that’s part of the problem. I don’t want a sixteen year old, with braces, telling me where and how to swim. They will look at me and my grey hair and think I shouldn’t go out deeper than my waist.

Reading the comments, on the thread, my mind reflected on vivid memories, of being a child and swimming, in the ocean. I would bend my knees and duck under the waves. I would feel it pass over me. I learned about the rhythm of the sea. I was taught about run outs, and how to deal with them. I swam far out beyond the breakers. I swam every day, all day long, only stopping for lunch, a rest, and then back out until the sun went down.

No lifeguard. – I would not have been allowed.

Continue reading I am a Cynical Old Woman

Crossfit Takeover

30261330_10215640853195973_8909771349015134208_nCrossfit has taken over my life. I see no end. How can I? I’m upside down, climbing a wall, backwards. Continue reading Crossfit Takeover

Not of this World

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERADespite wealth, fame, and accomplishments, all human beings are subject to impermanence. People, places, and material things will always come and go; we can’t stop it. There are times we will be stripped of everything we have tried to hold onto. Once we accept those seemingly unacceptable circumstances, we will be led to surrender; and on the other side of surrender is a joy and peace that is not of this world. (From The Mindful Addict)

It’s a new day, of a new year. And today my resolution is God-conciousness. I have zig-zagged for thirty years. I get side tracked. I become involved in worldly things. It never works. Continue reading Not of this World

Creating good days!

Creating good days today; creates good days, tomorrow. It makes happy yesterdays. Happiness and good days are key ingredients to longevity and well-being. How many times do you hear that idea tossed about?

Two evenings ago riding back from the surfbreak, Playa Avellanas, my friend and I got into a bit of a heated conversation about aging and surfing, competitiveness and illness. He kept talking and I kept talking back. My voice kept getting louder and louder. I was working hard to get my point across.

I have never bought into the widely accepted concept that illness is a part of the aging process. Forget it! Your beliefs are your strengths or weaknesses. Come to think of it, I never accepted the idea of plucking my eyebrows either. It just didn’t make sense, to stand in front of a mirror and inflict pain on myself.

That being said, before I left the States a month ago, I saw Piper Austin on a local news show. She had just won the Girls~East Coast Champion Title. Not bad Piper! She was asked, what advice she would give to a surfer, who wanted to improve. Her immediate response was yoga.

Cling to what makes sense.

Hence:

My new yoga teacher,

Yesterday, I started out my day with a sattva yoga class. I know that as the years pass, if I don’t do something, I will continue to loose my flexibility. Everyday is a good day, to do something good for yourself!

Later in the day, I was back at Playa Avellanas, catching waves.

Does this make sense to you?

WARNING: do not believe these three downtrodden, mistaken myths; that you will become sick as you age, that surfing is only for the young; that you had to start surfing when you were a kid.

Life is what you make it. Have a good day!

Namaste

Did I make myself clear?