Recently I heard these words by Mahatma Gandhi, and they helped me to realize how surfing improves humanity
”You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.”
If you surf you will care about our planet because you’ll understand it better. You will be healthier. You will be more flexible, figuratively and literally. Surfing makes you a happier person. It will humble you. It prepares you for change.
You will learn the meaning of community. Few communities self-regulate as successfully as surfing. Over the years surfing has developed a set of unwritten rules that enable all comers to catch waves safely and equitably. If surfers offer respect and make a sincere effort to abide by etiquette, they will receive respect in return.
You will become more patient. You cannot will perfect waves to appear. You cannot learn to surf in a week, or even a year. Both take time and are beyond your control. A willingness to accept the things you cannot change will flow into other areas of life.
You will make unlikely friends. You will share waves with surfers from the streets of Manenberg and the hills of Bishopscourt. In Gaza there are places where is Israelis and Palestinians surf together. They set aside their differences as surfing becomes an equalizer.
Surfing shows you how courageous you can be. Whether you are riding your first wave or paddling into surf well overhead, you need the courage not only to take the first step but keep going.
Surfing requires mindfulness. You have to be present in every moment, and it takes practice. Being focused and engaged is a skill invaluable in day-to-day life. It is impossible for a surfer not to notice and appreciate the beauty of the world around us. Life gets busy, and we tend to overlook of golden sunrise while stuck in the morning traffic. Or miss the captivating dance of birds along the hedge outside the office window. In the ocean you are immersed in the beauty of being part of nature.
Let's never lose faith, but surf a little more and practice to be our best selves daily.
Come surf with me at SURF EMPORIUM