So there I was, alone, in the cold black February dawn. We had come to Long Beach on Vancouver Island to watch the winter storms. I had woken early and leaving my dear wife to her dreams, had decided to walk along the shore. The tide was out. The monster North Pacific waves thundered to shore a quarter mile to the west of me. I was alone with my thoughts as I walked along the endless sandbar. It was a very peaceful moment.
Just then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw an extraordinary black shape speed past me, through the darkness. Startled, I squinted to see what other creature had invaded the remote beach.
Once the shock passed, I discerned the mystery shape to be a surfer, in a wetsuit, carrying a board. By the overall size, gait, and the zeal with which they approached the frigid water, it appeared to be a lone teenager.
I had a momentary thought to intervene. The waves were easily 10 feet high. It was freezing cold with a drizzle, and still too dark to see clearly. My thoughts raced. The surfer would be alone and beyond assistance should they get into trouble. Who knows what large sea creatures might be lurking out in the bay. But by the time I decided to check their mental capacity, it was too late. The surfer was long past me, in the water and paddling off to catch the first wave of the morning.
I couldn't help but watch out of concern. I grew up on the ocean and know its ways. I am a strong swimmer, and yet I knew that should anything happen to the lone surfer, there was no way I, or anyone else, could be of assistance. The distance was too long, the waves were too big, and the water too cold.
This kid was out there alone. I finished my walk and headed back to the lodge for breakfast.
As I sat in the cozy dining room of the Long Beach Lodge, enjoying a warm cup of tea, I reflected on what it takes to get a teenager out of their warm bed, overcome their fears, and endure the pain and discomfort (even in a wet suit this is no picnic) of a long winter swim.
I believe inspiration, is one of the most powerful motivating forces in the world. People have taken huge risks, and endured unfathomable discomfort, inspired and in pursuit of their vision. Inspiration in the heart of great teachers has changed the course of history. (Modern neuroscience is just beginning to understand the mechanisms by which these activating energies of the left-prefrontal cortex can override our usual cautious nature.)
If there is something you want to accomplish, no matter how impossible it might seem, if you can connect to an inspiring vision of the outcome you really want - you access the power to accomplish amazing things.
Sufficient inspiration, it seems, will always trump fear.
