Life: Learning to Ride the Waves

When we think of waves, we think of the ocean. But everything moves in waves: sand, air, fire, light, even the earth beneath our feet. Life doesn’t move in a straight line, it moves in waves — failure and success, sorrow and joy, anger and forgiveness. Waves can crush us. But they can also be ridden. And in many ways, life is about learning to do just that.

Click on any image to enlarge it, to read caption, or to begin slide show.

“She was no better than the shells by her feet, tumbling this way and that at the beck and call of the waves.” ~Katherine McIntyre

“The rush of love and the surge of grief, the respite of peace and then fear again, the heart that beats and then lies still, the rise and fall and rise and fall of all of it…the infinite procession of life. And the ocean wraps the earth, a reminder. The mysteries come forward in waves.” ~Susan Casey

“Waves are not as dangerous as fear of waves.” ~Vikrmn

“The sea, to be happy, like hearts, must be stirred.” ~Will Advise

“If you are a boat that wants to sail in windy weather, you must be more stubborn than the waves!” ~Mehmet Murat ildan

“Let the shores tell you the beauty of the ocean waves.” ~Aisha S. Kingu

“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” ~Unknown

About mitchteemley

Writer, Filmmaker, Humorist, Thinker-about-stuffer
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28 Responses to Life: Learning to Ride the Waves

  1. Nicole Sara says:

    So true! 🙂 The only thing though… beware of the undertow.

  2. L.G. says:

    Great point

  3. The sharks are no bargain either…

  4. Phil Strawn says:

    I grew up surfing on the Texas coast, Port Aransas and Galveston. I do know the power and danger the ocean can bestow, and I also appreciate the beauty of sitting on a board watching the Dolphins play around me as the sun rises. I don’t surf anymore, too old and no balance, but my son and both grandsons do, they live on the beach on North Padre Island. The ocean has always been a large part of my life.

  5. Love the Vikrmn quote. Waves like everything can be dangerous, but you can’t live in fear 🤣😎🙃

  6. Absolutely love this, Mitch!

  7. K.L. Hale says:

    I love this, Mitch! Thank you for these amazing pictures and quotes. Such wonderful reminders of how everything in life moves in waves. If I had consistently “calm” waters, I doubt I’d learn as much, my friend! Blessings to you and yours! 🩵

  8. Stunning images. Thanks, Mitch. 🙂

  9. pcviii03 says:

    Beautiful pics!

  10. emosobriety says:

    Our emotions definitely feel like waves. Some days, they can be quiet, while others they can sweep us away.

    Thanks for sharing.

  11. Love this, Mitch.
    Life – Waves ❤️

  12. SiriusSea says:

    Waving to ya from here ~ 😀 = L <3 VE !!!

  13. Eternity says:

    I appreciate your like of my post, “Isaiah Chapters 49-50;” you are very gracious.

  14. randydafoe says:

    I am constantly learning new perspectives with so many of your posts Mitch.

  15. Lokesh says:

    “Life doesn’t move in a straight line, it moves in waves — failure and success, sorrow and joy, anger and forgiveness. ”
    This is EXACTLY my realisation. You said it more profoundly.

  16. Ab says:

    Beautiful post, Mitch. “waves can be ridden.” I needed this reminder today. Thank you!

  17. I love this post, Mitch! The pics and quotes are amazing, but the counsel to ride the waves rather than be crushed by them is great encouragement and a life changing perspective.

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