I'm wading in the intercoastal waterway just off the stern of the boat in water about 5 feet deep while enjoying the scenery of a popular boating island somewhere off the coast of where I live. If I were to wade a little further out, the shelf of sand I'm standing on would end like a cliff, sending me 20 feet or more further down. This island our boat is anchored off is situated in the middle of the barrier islands that separate the ocean from the mainland. The water from the Atlantic Ocean pours in through the mouth of the inlet, constantly purging out the old water and rejuvenating the souls and wildlife of those bathing in this paradise.
Summertime is teetering on the brink of the Florida fall season, so the current water temperature is just right for dipping your body. I'm baptizing myself again. I enjoy moments in the water because the relaxation inside my weary body allows me to contemplate these extraordinary moments and my existence. Why, when we humans are confronted by a large body of water or a majestic mountain range, does it cause us to reflect? Maybe due to the sheer size, we feel small and realize there must be a God. The magnificence of that view, feeling, or moment frees the endorphins throughout one's body, allowing creativity to flow like an open dam. I think to myself in these personal moments: I'm born, raised, schooled, live, die. And not necessarily in that order! This cannot be the only thing that life has to offer?
I observe the other people in the water around me. Are they thinking about life or just busy living it? I scan the people around me, and they talk, laugh, drink, and have a good time. I realize that everyone with a boat around me is listening to their favorite music, which makes a mangled mess of everyone else's favorite music. They must be too buzzed to realize that all their music combines to create the perfect melody for a metaphoric culture clash. But they are all happy. The people on the shores of this island, not on their boats, sit in their chairs, under their canopies, next to their coolers and BBQ grills, enjoying their downtime in what is otherwise a busy American life. In America, weekends are made for us. For some, ocean life is America's favorite pastime.
Most of us get up every day and earn an honest living. Some people put in 30 hours, others 40, and most put in 48 to 60 hours weekly. There are people with multiple jobs just to put bread on their table. Then, we get to choose whom we give our money to so that we may enjoy some of the fruits of our labor. But sometimes, our labor needs to be more. Everyone wants a piece of our paycheck. If the product is amazing, we gladly hand over our cash. But there are always unforeseen circumstances like hospital visits, car problems, school purchases, kid extracurricular activities, fuel for our vehicles, or a loved one needing a few extra bucks. All of this can be overwhelming. Is this what life is all about?
Here I am, my head bobbing like a buoy, my feet dangling on the bottom of the intercostal, thinking about what more life can offer me. It sounds selfish, considering I am contemplating life's problems while relaxing in a boat on top of clear blue water. Could I be experiencing entitlement issues for yearning to have even better things in life? We went on a family reunion trip to the Dominican Republic a few years ago. My job offers vacation time, so I was on a paid leave time excursion with my kids. My boys were complaining and making the rest of us difficult because they were tired. I looked at them and told them, "You are on a catamaran off the coast of the DR. What on earth could possibly be upset about?'" It was disheartening, to say the least. But they are outstanding kids; however, at this moment, they were misguided in their displeasure. I was very frustrated that they couldn't fathom how lucky they were. Now, that is entitlement, but they are children and can't fully grasp how significant this moment is. I know exactly how fortunate we are to be here and how hard I work to make moments like this trip happen. I answered one of my questions. It isn't an entitlement when you work for it.
Back to my current reality, in the sea, near an island, boating my cares away. The scenery is so beautiful here. Everything has its perfect place. The water, the sand, fish, birds, people. Everything at this precise moment has a perfect energy. Where evolution has placed everything in such an ideal spot, guided by the hand of God. I'm happy I was born and raised to know such a place exists. And I'm so glad to be living.
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