I asked the question today how can I reduce my fear and was told to learn to surf.

Fears toss the body around like a stormy ocean. There are huge waves of emotion and the body wants to fight it. It’s like being a swimmer fighting the waves on a dark and stormy night. Drowning. Fighting. Drowning as the body gets tighter in resistance.

No I don’t want this. I reject this. This thing I am so scared will happen.

I am reminded of what my dear friend Helen said to her family just before her body took its final breath –

“Don’t be afraid”

“Don’t panic”

“Let what wants to happen, happen”

I take in these words and start to understand the idea of flow, of allowing and not controlling the outcome. Of surfing.

The surfer enjoys the waves. They look forward to the thrill of the wave carrying them. They know they can’t control the wave. They don’t know the duration or destination or whether they will ‘wipe out’ and this is part of the fun.

The emotions in my body can be ridden out in a similar way. I can look forward to them. I can see them as a thrill instead of a dread. I can remember they aren’t me and I have no control of them and to just let them pass.

I think of the beautiful and graceful way long board surfers navigate a wave. Walk to the end and ‘hang ten’! Create a lovely turn so the ride continues or gently exit the wave and let it go on.