My Wake Up Call to Live in the Present
Aug 14th, 2008 by admin
We were on choppy water headed into a stiff breeze 5 miles out from the coast when we spotted the first pod of dolphins. At a distance, they looked like small black waves breaking the surface. As we drew closer, we could see more than 100 adults and calves playfully leaping, breaching, tail-whacking and belly flopping. They probably weren’t playing, more likely feeding, but to my human eyes it was unadulterated fun.
Suddenly several dozen dolphins swam under the boat to ride the bow waves, porpoiseing just inches ahead of our 50 foot catamaran. Patsy and I stepped up into the starboard prow, leaning far out over the railing and watched in fascination as the dolphins skittered in and out of the path of the boat and its churning propellers. This wasn’t our first experience dolphin watching, but each time still feels as exhilarating as the first.
It was a cool, gray day and we were only wearing shorts and tee-shirts. Patsy tucked in behind me to get out of the wind and wrapped her arms around me. We both laughed, thinking how it might appear to the other passengers that we were reenacting Leonardo DiCaprio’s and Kate Winslet’s scene on the prow of the Titanic.
We didn’t really care what they thought. Far from feeling like “the king of the world”, I was humbled by the enormous energy that surrounded us - the ocean’s boundless waves, the dolphins’ acrobatics, and Patsy’s love. That was how we spent our first day on a four-day trip to Southern California for a friend’s wedding.
We’ve lost count of how many weekend runs we’ve made to the coast to escape the Arizona heat, but this trip will always be memorable because of the amazing life energy we felt there. First it came from the ocean and the wind. Later, it came even more powerfully from the people we were with.
That evening we witnessed a beautiful, young couple, Matt and Lindsay, proclaim their everlasting love for each other. The wedding took place at sunset on a bluff that overlooked the beach where Matt had proposed to Lindsay.
Matt is a Marine hero, recently home from the war, and soon to be redeployed again somewhere in the world far from his bride. Patsy and I were both moved by this warrior’s gentle and loving presence as he freely expressed his love not only for her but also for his friends, family and fellow Marines.
The reception was fabulous. Matt and Lindsay’s favorite band, OffWhite (www.iamoffwhite.com) rocked us all night long. Everyone danced, but I especially loved watching the children. They were just as uninhibited and energetic as the dolphins, letting the music move their little bodies around in a totally primitive and joyous way. Patsy and I soon joined them and danced the night away.
It was just what I needed. You see, every once in a while I lose it. Not my temper or my composure, but the self I’ve come to know when I’m fully present and awake. When I’m present, my heart is open and courageously loving. Nothing is hidden. I am just there with no pretense or need to be accepted or approved of. It’s just me there for you or whoever is in front of me.
Funny thing about my being present is that I have to be present in order to know when I’m not. Sometimes what wakes me up is a physical sensation in the middle of my chest…hardened, and closed off, as if hiding something. Sometimes though, its love that gently opens my eyes to who I really am. Thanks, Matt and Lindsay, for the wake up call.
