I’m writing this post from Costa Rica while here on a working and visioning retreat (although not a lot of “work” is being done!). Yesterday, I had my second surfing lesson which I begrudgingly agreed to because it was encouraged by our host. My first attempt at surfing about a year and a half ago did not really inspire any feelings of ever wanting to surf again. I had a patient and loving teacher but the water was freezing and the waves were crowded. Plus I ended up wiping out, getting conked on the head with my super long and heavy board, and breaking my toe. So when the invitation to try again presented itself here in Costa Rica, I was not the least bit stoked.

After our beach lesson concluded and it was time to get into the water, I was super nervous and actually quite scared. I was taking more than just the board into the ocean with me; I was also carrying my story from my first surfing experience which was drastically influencing my present experience. My 22 year old instructor, Estephan who is really hard on the eyes, said to me, “Christine, your face is saying fear. You are okay, you are going to be okay. Can you say to yourself that today you are good? This time it will be different.” He was right. As soon as I let go of my old story about what surfing HAD been like, I was open and able to experience what surfing was like NOW. I’m excited to share that I did catch about five waves and even stood up on my board!

Today I invite you to consider what old stories you are carrying into new experiences. Maybe something scary happened to you and that fear is joining you on every new adventure. Perhaps you have been hurt in the past and you take that into the beginning of every new relationship. Or maybe you have judged yourself as failing and you ride into new opportunities with that limiting belief. Is it serving you to use your stories from your past to predict and create your future?

UPdate the stories you are telling in your life by being open to creating and living new ones. Just because something went one way in the past does not mean it will go the same way now or in the future. I encourage you to greet every experience with childlike wonder and enthusiasm. Look for opportunities to ride new waves in your life and catch them!

Hang loose,
Christine

“Life is full and overflowing with the new. But it is necessary to empty out the old to make room for the new to enter.” Eileen Caddy

“The old skin has to be shed before the new one can come.” Joseph Campbell