Surfing the Sea of Humanity

I love the above image. Is shows a herd of humans swimming towards a goal during an open water race. I often feel in races (on land, over obstacles, in the water) that I'm experiencing time differently, especially surrounded by other human animals. Even though our true self is timeless (if you concur with the ideas of Buddhism and the natural order of living things), we live and experience in sequential time. As Deepak Chopra says, when we synchronize individual awareness with the timing and rhythm of the universe anything is possible. 

Dividing our time into segments or slices of pie each day can help us to be more successful. There are seven important slices, according to Dr. Daniel Siegel, a neuroscientist at UCLA. He looked at how we can use our time so that it supports our wellbeing and inner growth. He list seven ways to spend time:

• Sleep time – Getting a full night’s restful sleep

• Physical time – Taking time to move and let your body be active 

• Focus time – Being alone for a while to concentrate on what matters to you

• Time in – Taking time for meditation, prayer, or self-reflection

• Time out – Setting aside time to simply to be here and rest into existence

• Play time – Time to have fun and enjoy yourself

• Connecting time – Intimate private time between you and those you care for and love

This seems simple and common sensical, yet it's mighty hard to manage if you're not mindful of how your day runs. Like the swimmers above, they know the race course and perhaps have even swum it before or measured it out in their minds. Much like we imagine our day unfolding while we're having our first cup of coffee. But then there are the variables; currents, winds, weather, jellyfish, a rogue kayaker....Or for most us; traffic, an extra errand, an unexpected meeting/call/deadline and so on. How to insure that the goals of your day, that must happen to finish properly, still allow time for you to partake of the 7 slices of pie? How to race in a herd of a 100 people and still watch the harbor seal peering at you, or savor the warm currents as you find them across a frigid bay? 

Basically one has to make time for the time; all 7. It becomes a habit of mind and movement. 20 minutes a day to meditate. 30 minutes to write. 7-12 hrs to work. 1 hour to play. 1 hour to be physical. 1-2 hrs to focus on those you love. Using the commute to commune with yourself or take a personal time out. 6-8 hours of sleep; so the body, mind and spirit swim fluidly. 

What's interesting to me, is when I take the time to be mindful, it seems as if the universe acknowledges it and rises up to meet me. Things general go more fluidly. Even when I hit road blocks (traffic in the car or financial hurdles in the mail), they flow over me instead of tripping me up. I know there will be time to address them and I'm not in an anxious or impatient state, so I'll be clearer and quicker in finding a solution.

It's like watching a school of fish. They are minding how the sun, wind, current and each other are moving. If a predator comes, they surf around it or make stealthy moves to cover the momentary alarm. I find that surfing as a metaphor for life comes in handy quite often....swimming, too. 

Right now is also the season where course selections by students are leading to course assignments for teachers. We're also in the process of a Principal search. So, as one might guess, there are many whirlpools, to navigate; some will bring opportunity and others obstacles. Both will be best surfed with a  refreshed mind, body and spirit. 

Good Night, Body Surfers & Swimmers, G'night!