The Ocean can be a Great Metaphor for Handling Emotions

I love the ocean and have since I was a child. Every morning my father would watch the ocean for hours from the Lanai of our Hawaiian home. It would almost mesmerize him with its hypnotic waves crashing against the lava as he watched intently. I used to tell him that “The Ocean was speaking to him”. Then I’d ask him, “What is it telling you?”. This would lead to countless discussions and discoveries right up until his passing in September of 2004.

There is something about the ocean that can be meditative and mesmeric. The ocean can also become turbulent, rough, rocky, and overwhelmingly chaotic. Does this sound familiar? The ocean like our emotional life can be calm one moment and turbulent in the next. The goal would be for us to learn how to manage the emotional tidal waves and ultimately handle whatever else comes our way. If we are open to it the ocean can become a great metaphor for how to handle our emotions, the undercurrent in our lives. In my life I discovered just how valuable the ocean and two special mammals were to how I responded to the emotional times of my life. 

The two mammals I speak of are “Spinner Dolphins” and “Humpback Whales”. For more than 30 years I have been swimming with a pod of wild dolphins along the coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. One morning a few years after I met the dolphins, the dolphins and I were out exploring the ocean depths when suddenly we were joined by two Humpback Whales. I can tell you at first, I was startled and extremely leery of what was happening; however, I knew from watching the dolphins all would be ok. Imagine suddenly you are faced by a Humpback Whale? They can weigh between 25-30 tons and can be anywhere from 38-52 feet in length. Amazing creatures, however, it is their sounds that capture you. I felt my whole body become quiet and idle as I listened to them. I accepted and allowed the encounter with the whales to be whatever it needed to be.

This initial meeting with the whales had me realize that just like in life we are met with circumstances almost at every turn and they can come on suddenly. When I was younger, I did not handle the circumstances in my life with any kind of finesse. Rather I was emotional and all over the map. When I began to swim and explore the ocean accompanied by dear friends, I found myself viewing circumstances very differently. I became more willing to take risks and consider solutions rather than the old habit of flying off the handle and getting emotional.

That day I met the Humpback Whales, who I have since named Truman and Ollie, was monumental for me. There was every opportunity for me to panic, become frantic and buy into many fearful conversations and make things up. I did not. Rather I listened to my objective psyche/intuition that told me to watch the dolphin’s reaction. They seemed fine and I knew I was OK, so I began to connect with the same rhythm as the whales.

Later that day I realized the old way I was perceiving the circumstances in my life was from a position and way of thinking that had me so small compared to the circumstance, which I had built up in my mind to be so much bigger than me. The theme at times was “The world is against me”. Do you ever feel that way?

Have you ever watched the ocean when a hurricane or tsunami hits? The ocean begins to swirl in its response to the winds and movement deep below. The ocean waves then soar to great heights while crashing against land and wiping out any object that it meets in its path. My sense is that the ocean is not angered, rather the ocean moves with whatever is present as it releases and surrenders to the storm. This allows whatever is going to happen, to happen without resistance. Then when the storm moves on the ocean resumes its rhythm. Sometimes there are shifts, changes and transformations left behind in its wake. These changes and transformations are very necessary to support growth. Do you think this allows the ocean to be better prepared to handle the next storm? I do.

Truman and Ollie have taught me a lot about the ocean. Humpback Whales are known as “The Record Keepers”. They know without a doubt how to navigate through the ocean no matter what is happening at any given moment. My sense has always been that it appears as though the whales and dolphins are surrendering to whatever the ocean and nature throws in their path! They listen to their inner sonar and adjust accordingly.

In summary, circumstances happen! How are you currently handling the circumstances in your life? I have put together a Step-by-Step list of actions you can take to support yourself when faced with any type of circumstance….

Step One: Stay above all the thoughts that begin to swirl. Do not resist what is happening. And most important do not make anything up. Look after yourself and let yourself ‘have what you have’. Allow all the feelings and emotions that are present to move through you.

Step Two: ‘Surrender’, ‘Release’ and ‘Let Go’. Choose the path of Acceptance and Mastery. (NOTE: You do not need to agree with what is happening, you can disagree. Stay in Acceptance of ‘What is’). It will not serve you to resist as resistance leads to resentment and revenge (Ultimately on yourself) and Victimhood.

Step Three: At this point it is OK to share what is going on with someone you trust. Share your experience with them in a way they will get it (i.e., without all the feelings and emotions). Be responsible for the impact that your circumstances may have on others. Ideally when you share you want to stay in the “I”. (Remember this is happening in your reality not the other persons.)

Step Four: Take action in your life, i.e., make changes, shift whatever is necessary, implement solutions and allow the shifts and transformations to happen. Get back to being the Master of your destiny and continue to navigate any circumstance. That is exactly what the whales and dolphins do.

Keep it simple, listen to your objective psyche (your intuition) you are much smarter and aware than you think you are! You have the inherent ability to be “The Master” … so leave victimhood behind and LIVE your life in Mastery.

I will leave you with this last thought... "Circumstances are never put in your path to hurt you or cause you anxiety, rather they show up disguised as gifts to support you to shift, change and transform your life for the better. In order for your destiny to manifest in the most beautiful and fulfilling way!

My books are available now on Amazon “It Was ME all Along, the Path to FREEDOM” -  https://lnkd.in/gt3gX7t - and -“The Dolphin Lady, the Story of a Unique Relationship” https://lnkd.in/gcq-fGx -