My Life in a Nutshell
“You wanna go swimming?” my friend Jill said. We were dressed in layers with jackets and pants rolled up to our shins. Our bare feet were crusted in sand. Jagged pewter cliffs towered to my right and the Atlantic churned to my left. It was 2pm and, for as far as I could see, beige sand was peppered with small dark figures: people bundled head to toe on afternoon strolls.
“Aww, I didn’t bring a suit,” I said.
Jill’s lips stretched up in a smile. Waves crashed and white foam rolled up the sand behind her, almost kissing her heels. Wind blew wispy gray hair across her face.
She cocked her head and looked up at me as if I was a tall innocent kid. “Nudeness is sort of accepted here,” she said. “And no pressure if you are uncomfortable.”
Reasons not to undress flew through my mind like stock exchange ticker tapes.
It’s too cold.
There are people.
It’s daylight, skinny dipping is for the dead of night.
We don’t have towels.
We’d be naked on a public beach.
It’s way too cold.
I haven’t shaved down there in a month.
I will get sand in my clothes.
Jill’s boyfriend will see my tits.
Nudeness is fine, but not with people around.
It’s cold.
It’s cold.
It’s freezing cold
Jill held my eyes with that sweet, no strings invitation. She and the sea waited for my answer.
“Ok,” I said, soft and unsure. I unzipped my jacket and she unzipped hers.
Our hands moved faster and faster as we took off each layer, leaving a lumpy pile of clothes on the sand.
Frigid wind, wet sand, tits and pubic hair. I didn’t mean to look, but was surprised that Jill’s was jet black when her hair was silver. She turned toward the sea. Her ass cheeks jiggled and seawater splashed as she scampered into the surf. And there I went too. My feet slapped water and frosty needles stung from my shins up to my chest.
The icy sea grabbed the soft skin of my belly; it stole my breath. A wave rolled in, my body went rigid and I rocketed up on my tiptoes to get more of me out of the bitter cold. I knew there would be relief once my head went under.
I took a deep breath, gritted my teeth, and dove in.
An invitation: Read the story again, but this time read it as an invitation to dance a different dance, to allow life’s invitations, to allow emotions and the busyness in your head to roll on through, then allow the tickles of your soul to nudge you in unexpected ways.
**Some may assume that I am suggesting you say “yes” to everything. That is not the case. Say “no thanks” when your soul is tickled to say no. And consider saying “Ok” when, beneath all the noise, curiosity wants to play. The invitation is to let go of our beliefs and ideas of what is acceptable, appropriate, what we should do, or how we should feel.
If we let all that go, what’s left?
Read the story again, read it about yourself, and be curious about what may come up as you go on living. That’s all 🙂
Would you like a partner to dive in with? Imagine living without fear and shaking off pesky habits. Through one on one explorations you’ll find a new sense of freedom, stress fades away, and all sorts of possibilities take center stage. If you are curious, send me an email and let’s have a conversation.
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Absolutely, LOVED, it! You had me at “I almost didn’t share this blog.” Brilliant writing, brilliant images, brilliant storytelling.
Thank you, Jules. I am so so so grateful for you. Thanks for the nudge to hang out with Chuck and get a bit edgy!
Nice! Dare to take a plunge, both literal and metaphorical. What might I consider saying ‘YES!’ To today?
That’s it, Scott! Thanks and have fun 🙂
An interesting story. Speaking from the heart: it makes me think of the state of our world and how we are constantly looking for the next thrill or the bravery to step into the next challenge. To forget about what others think and just do what feels right. The reality is that we cannot trust our heart, mind or soul apart from the absolute truth of God’s Holy Spirit and His influence over our jaded and corrupt perspective of life. This world offers so much that is counterproductive to finding true peace and satisfaction in a relationship with God through His Son Jesus! Kristi I enjoyed getting to know you on a personal level during our years together at NPFR and I know many of your followers seem to be seeking peace, courage, significance and happiness. I would challenge anyone to try Jesus! He is the only true giver of that kind of life; now and for eternity! A verse from His Word (the Bible). “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.”
1 John 5:12. I pray anyone who reads this will discover true life instead of a disappointing counterfeit based on experiences and feelings. Blessings!
From your words, I can tell how much you care… and I feel the love. Thank you💜 Sending oodles of love your way.
Loved it.
You rock.
That’s what real living is all about
It is! And thanks.
Great story!
🙂
I should have included my reasons for saying it is a “great story”, in my earlier comment. Here are a couple:
First, it is real. The questions you asked yourself before jumping in are the ones we all ask ourselves. From force of habit and social conditioning – they roll through our mind. Noticing them makes our lives richer.
Second, your use of common terms for anatomical parts is just plain fun. They make us laugh, pay attention, and connect on a personal level. More than using tits or ass, I especially loved that you were momentarily concerned about not “shaving down there for a month”, and that her boyfriend would see your tits. THAT is real stuff of the human experience. Also, as a man, I value knowing the real life concerns of women, even if they are momentary.
Thanks again for sharing the story.
Ahhh…. this had me chuckling. And it warmed my heart at the same time.
What you shared, Buzz, is why I write, and also why I practice honing the art and the craft of sharing with the written word. It touched me to see you so eloquently put it all into words. Thank you. Big big hugs
Sounds like you Kristy
Ahh… Thanks Winston
I just love the story but maybe more than that I LOVE the invitation. The invitation speaks to my soul and the innate desire to be free that lives there. It is also so cool to get a glimpse inside the mind of someone who lives such a guided life. It re-affirms what we know but forget, we all have noisy thinking and beneath the noise lies the magic. Thanks Kristi for being such a wonderful guide. <3
Thanks Al! A beautiful share, my friend- “Beneath the noise lies the magic.” Yes! 🙂
I felt every shiver and want to dive in too. Thank you for writing and sharing