Being afloat brings a sense of lightness in a world when heaviness is too much and we need to unload. The expression "I am floating" with a big grin on a face capture in words exactly how one feels in times of triumph, success, or accomplishment. This feeling of lightness has become so powerful that it is used in therapies to alleviate anxiety or depression. As with anything, being afloat is as temporary sensation. I would like to believe that nothing floats forever.
I finally decided to get a stand-up paddle board (SUP) and use it for the first time! A friend had been encouraging me and telling me how it changes ones life! As first time SUP owner, and user, my friend chose a route that is easy to get into, minimal rapids, and spectacular views of mountain, wild horses, and grasslands. In the middle of the desert! We started quite early, inflated our SUPs and carried it towards the river. Off we go. Taking all the scenery in, exchanging pleasantries with fellow river floaters, and admiring the wild horses' beauty as they too come to the river for refreshment. Yes, SUPs a life-changer during the dog-days of summer in the desert. Feeling the calming sensation of floating, moving through the current, birds singing, and an occasional breeze, ahhhh I was floating in happiness. A much needed respite from the sweltering heat. I had forgetten how hot it was! I would lay and close my eyes let the river take its course. And on more than one occasion I had to course correct as I got entangled onto trees and shrubs by the river side.
After more than an hour of cruising down the river solo. That friend who recommended I get a SUP are now drifting together. SUPs attached using our paddles, arms or legs. We would be laying down, and staring at the bright sky, telling stories, listening to floaters passing by. There are moments when we ask ourselves if we are moving or are we on a complete stop? We focus our eyes onto the faint moon, and for a moment we felt stillness, we were in awe. The river flowing ever so slowly and gently we felt the stillness in the water, what a treat! When we drift away from the center one of us will steer the SUPs to not get tangled on shrubs. When there is a turn or a current, our paddles will part and we will reach out and find a way back and drift again. Stories after stories, photos after photos, we are about to get off to our stop.
Languishing has become the buzz word of the year in 2021. Psychologist had find word to express this feeling or emotion. There's an article in NYT that you can refer to. My own personal definition is when you are feeling blah, feeling ok, feeling ... Three dots, yes, when you are the three dots in a sentence. You are not in the end of your wits, but you do not have the words to express. Three dots. You are still productive member of society, but you rely on autopilot. It's like floating down the river but relying on the River's current to take you along for the ride. When I read that article I thought, wow am I languishing in 2021?
Floating, Drifting, Cruising, Languishing, as with anything in moderation is good for the soul. By laws of nature, at one point or another you either sink or drift or languish into something. Like the river adventure, it is a needed break on a hot summer day, a needed reprieve from all of life's heavy load. A time to exhale and be transported to a world filled with greens, and blues and wild horses. Knowing when to turn, knowing how slow down or speed up, knowing where you are along the route, knowing when to get off. Having a friend to share it all, is not bad at all. A friend to wake you up before you hit a tree, a friend to reach out to when currents are strong, a friend who knows when to get off. A friend is like a life jacket, you will never know when you need it, but sure make you feel safe when you have it. With friends, you will not drift away, cruise to nowhere, languish into something else. Find that friend, get a SUP. It is a life-changer!
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