Zen and the Art of Boogie Boarding with Barb

The first time I went boogie boarding with Barb (http://upside-down-patty.blogspot.com/2009/07/boogie-boarding-with-barb.html) was bliss. Actually, two parts of it were bliss. The part that was safe on land, where we ate grapes and read Cosmo and listened to music on her ipod like teenagers. And the part where I actually rode a wave on a boogie board - woo hoo! The parts in between - getting in the ocean, scanning the horizon nervously, feeling the sand fall out from under me or the water going over me - were a lot more anxiety provoking.

So when we were boogie boarding recently for the second time and getting knocked around by waves, I felt unsettled. Barb kept calling to me, "Look out!" a second before I got smacked upside the head. When Barb observed "I don't know how you can stay with your back to the waves, I always like to see what's coming at me," it finally occurred to me to turn around - aha, seeing the waves makes things easier! But scarier, too - seeing each swell - gosh, how big is that going to get? What should I do? Where is it going to break? Help!

After one big wave, Barb laughed "I love that moment, when you're looking at a wave and not sure what to do - should I dive under or jump or ride it in? That's the best!" I laughed inside. The moment when I don't know what to do? That's the part I hate!

Zen and the Art of Happiness says simply "Be Happy."

Barb and I floating on our boards under the blue sky? Happy.

Sitting on the beach basking in sun and good company? So easy to be happy!

But to be happy when off balance, out of one's element, uncertain of what is coming?

That is Zen and the Art of Boogie Boarding with Barb! That, right there, is a practice worth cultivating. Om, peace, B!