Significance: A Matter of Perspective
May 30, 2007
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Living in Western Canada and being landlocked it so easy to loose perspective. I forget that I am a biological being living in a biosphere called earth.
I get so wound up in my business, coaching clients, and writing books and blogs that I tend to think that the world revolves around me - until the other day when the ocean put me in my place.
Head Over Heals
I was swimming late in the day. The surf was breaking between 2-5 feet. My son and I decided to go for a swim to cool off. I decided I would try and body surf. Choosing my wave I waited for the biggest one and started to do the back stroke to get my speed up to catch the wave - just as I got my speed up - the wave broke picked up my feet and turned me head over heals, twice.
I finally figured out which end was up, had sand in my mouth, ears, hair, well you get the idea. I stopped to look around and all could see was ocean and lots of it.
Significance: Compared to What?
Comparatively speaking, we are a speck of dust in comparison to the world. What I love about the ocean is the connection I feel with nature. The power of the ocean is amazing.
When I went scuba diving I really came away with how ’significantly insignificant’ I was in the grand scheme of things. I began to wonder who was watching who - I thought I was watching the sea life when a small Yellow Tang seemed to stop and look right at me.
We swam further to watch a Hawaiian Lion Fish hiding in a hole in rock at about 40′ down - I suddenly felt this gentle but firm push on my leg (I was standing on the bottom) turned to look and I could not believe what I saw - a large sea turtle pushed my leg!
I moved out of the way and watched as he swam under a ledge, close to where I was standing when another smaller turtle joined him - guess I was encroaching on his territory.
Moral of the Story
There is much more to our world than our business, our life, and community - we are part of something much bigger - this biosphere we call ‘earth’.
When we are outside our comfort zone or in foreign territory I have learned that I need to make sure to pay attention, show reverence, and take it slow. In the grand scheme of things we are but grains of sand - we are significantly, insignificant - unless we choose to respect our biosphere.
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Recognition
I have been so thrilled to read of your experiences here in my Hawaii nei, Greg. It has been a real treat to have you here in our part of the world, and it is wonderful to know that you and your family have become part of it in so many ways. Me ke aloha pumehana, e a hui hou kakou.
Rosa, the pleasure has been mine as I have enjoyed Hawaii and am still identifying learnings and distinctions that I might never have had had we not met.
Thanks for being such a generous hostess, send my appreciation to Toni next time you see her.