One of the most significant findings in psychology in the last twenty years is that individuals can choose the way they think. - Martin Seligman
That is really exceptional, Martin.
Many people believe that the moment they were born, life had already prepared a storyboard for them: a major sense, a higher meaning, a path to follow. But I think that this concept actually makes us losing control over our own thoughts, beliefs and doings.
It's very easy and comfortable to believe in the idea of a pre-scripted scenario.
But sometimes the apparently smoothest way isn't the most beneficial in the long term. Miracles rarely come easy.
Here's how I manipulated my own destiny and started to live for real.
My second birth
It was a summery day, one of these postcard moments that could have been part of a movie.
We were a group of five couples, camping close to the Northern Coast of Fuerteventura, a windy and sandy surfers' island where you feel like somebody that is stranded on the moon - an habitable moon.
Sand was the dominant element besides the Ocean.
We hit the perfect week in August. The Sea was still quite warm, the air temperature ranged from 24 to 28 degrees Celsius, and a gentle swell brought in some mellow waves from the North West.
Since then I've been a lot of times at this place; yet it was never as magical as this one day again.
Fuerteventura, August 2013 (original picture)
Sometimes you don't have a second chance to re-live that one experience.
We got up early and had a quick breakfast in order to catch the first waves during the low tide.
My surf baptism - the very first time I entered the Ocean with a surfboard - had taken place only one month before.
By chance it all happened on my 32nd birthday. I was definitely older than the average surf class participant. But I was too busy with myself to care.
It was embarrassing. You may only imagine how I looked like while I was desperately trying to get up on that floating something - which was rather a boat than a board.
My whole life I had been a sporty girl, yet that day I felt like a clumsy cow that had never seen a swim suit in her life.
Two hours passed and I was still unable to get up and stand up on my feet. I was so incredibly sad. Luckily nobody saw the tears running down my face since water was everywhere and the salty sadness just dropped into the salty Sea and magically disappeared.
However, my inner me told me that it was too early to completely give up.
It was late in the evening when the pro (teacher) announced the very last wave before closing my birthday's session. "One more, guys!" I can still hear the sound of his voice.
I was shocked. It was unacceptable for me to go home without catching at least one wave.
We had been in the water for hours, my body felt extremely tired, and I thought that I had already spent all of my energy savings. But if you're a sportsman or sportswoman, then you know one thing: we've got always something left. No matter how exhausted you might feel, if it comes to winning or losing human batteries have a special last-minute reloading function.
And then it happened. It was the last wave of the day and it became mine.
On the 11th of July 2013 I caught my very first wave.
There are moments in life that are powerful enough to become turning points. They divide our lives into two pieces: the time before and after them.
That one wave was one of these turning points.
It was clear to me that I wouldn't ever forget what happened in the water that day. I wasn't happy, I wasn't fulfilled - it was so much more than that.
It was like finding the last piece to my life's puzzle - a piece I didn't even know I was missing.
One month had passed since then but the memory was still as crystal clear as the water.
When we arrived at the beach I was thirsty. I wanted to live it again. I wanted to know if I was able to reproduce the moves or if everything had just been a dream.
From today's point of view I perfectly realize what happened: I was already infected by the surfing virus.
Surfing is like mafia. Once you are in, you are in.- Kelly Slater
I still didn't know that I just joined this group of insane people.
Now entering the water again felt like coming home - but even more intense. When I close my eyes I still feel it.
It took me a couple of failed attempts, but then I jumped on that board and flew. Luckily one of my friends saved the memory forever by shooting the following picture.
My rebirth - That moment when you just fly
Imagine the happiest moment in your life and multiply it with eternity. That's how I felt. It was a morning's miracle, and I had just created it.
Christians believe in Reincarnation. I believe that we don't even need to die to be born again.
One life can be made of many small lives.
The only thing I did was following my instinct.
I had never been a water person. At the age of 5 I learned how to keep myself on the water surface at a public swimming hall. However, I enjoyed much more being on a tennis court than in a pool at that point of time.
Who would have thought that the rough Ocean, strong currents, wet clothes and salty hair could become my passion? Me not!
That's why I don't believe in destiny. All external signs were meant to bring me on a different path. However, I chose to tear down walls (especially walls of fear) instead of changing my direction.
That's why I believe that we should carefully listen whenever our inner voice tells us to try harder and still not to give up.
I could have decided to become a beacher instead of a surfer. But then I wouldn't ever have found my real ME.
So here's my advice: Be curious and pay attention. When life knocks on the door you should carefully listen. Some chances aren't given twice to us.
Your pre-scripted destiny might be the safer path, but probably not the one where you gonna learn how to fly...
Best,
Marly -
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Original content. Quotes found on pinterest.com, twitter.com, askideas.com, quotefancy.com and .