It was difficult to find any rhythm, the sea was choppy with strong winds and messy waves. After a couple of hundred meters I duck dived under and was immediately struck by the calm environment  just under the surface. 

A mindfulness practice can cultivate that same environment. Being still, focusing on the present moment (the breath is a great starting point) with an attitude of kindness, compassion, and curiosity helps create an inner calm much like under the surface of a rough sea. Andy Puddicombe, the developer of the Headspace meditation app talks about the blue sky analogy. Even on a cloudy day the blue sky is still present. The same can be said for a stormy sea. On the surface can be rough, but just beneath the surface it can be serene. A small change in focus/position can create a calmer point of view.

Our daily lives can be full of external storms. Changing our perspective and finding a little inner calm can help see situations from a more settled position. Charles R. Swindoll said that 10% of our life is what happens to us and 90% is our reaction to external happenings. We can’t control the external but we can learn to control our inner world that helps drive our reaction. 

So next time there is a stormy sea remember there is a calmness and serenity just beneath the surface. Keep working on the skills to help find that space. 

Brad Dixon is a sports physio, coach, and wellness evangelist based at EVERFIT Physio & Coaching. His passion is promoting enhancing daily habits that nudge people towards potential and save the planet. His book ‘Holistic Human’ is available here - https://everfit.co.nz/Store/Category/Book . The power is in our daily habits! Connect with Brad at www.everfit.co.nz, Facebook, Strava, Instagram (@everfitcoach), and YOU TUBE https://youtube.com/c/EverFITcoach 

Swimming around Leisure Island on No Wetsuit Wednesday. Photo Credit - Angela Wallace