Hope, optimism and sadness

If there is one thing we, as surfers, seem to have

it's a sense of hopefulness. We are always hoping

that there will be waves, that the wind will be right,

that it won't be too crowded etc. etc. Hope and

a sense of optimism are wonderful and sustaining things.

Sadly, when one has lost that sense of hope, lost all

optimism, life can seem unbearable. I'm sure we all

know of someone like that, someone who has given

up hope and adopted the perspective of pessimism.

All they can see is darkness and despair. They become

convinced that the waves will never get better. They confuse

feelings for facts.

I've been touched, once again, by another death of someone

I know. Unfortunately, they'd been consumed by hopelessness

and pessimism for many months. They were suffering believing

that their feelings were facts. How sad to end the human

experience in such a way. How unfortunate that they

were unable to believe that despite all the rain, clouds,

wind, and cold, a new swell will come, the wind will again blow

offshore, the sun will come out. I can only take some comfort

knowing that at least I was with them for the final parts of their

journey listening, sharing and trying to help provide some

hope and optimism. Trying to let them know feelings and facts

are two different things.

All I can do now is remember, feel touched by their spirit, and

learn yet another lesson as I surf the waves of life.