Chris Kalisz
Jul 22, 2017 · 4 min read

SAND AND SERENITY

As I stand here on the wooden boardwalk, my line of sight leading me along the rough feel of wood and the gritty feel of sand beneath my bare feet, I can’t help but to stare into the endless expanse of ocean that lies beyond the last wooden plank of this boardwalk.

The distance bewteen myself and the ever ebbing and flowing of endless water seems minute, a small amount of space to travel, and yet the terrain between us changes multiple times. As my feet carry me across the firm, hard surface of the wooden boards, my mind takes me to a point in my life. A place in my childhood that resonates with this same feel. The feel of stability and a firmness that only comes with that of two loving parents who support and encourage you. The solid feel of childhood friendships that you believe will last forever and the people around you that will help to pick you up each time you fall.


My feet slowly approach the end of this firm wooden walkway, and as they do my mind begins to fast forward. The stability and firmness of childhood is fast approaching its end. A change is inevitable and while I have the ability to stall my feet to avoid stepping off the firm wood and onto the unstable shifting sand, I know, deep down inside that stopping here will never allow me to reach that water. Trying to maintain this childhood stability will never allow me to reach the endless possibility that is the ocean of life.

And so, I step off that solid and stable walkway and hit the unstable sand.

The feel is no longer safe and comfortable, but instead the sand burns at the soles of my feet and while physically this feeling I absorb, I flash to a point in life where this shifting instability burns at my very soul, the fiber of my being, as the step from solid ground to uncertainty throws me out of my comfort zone.


Like most people in life, I was always afraid of change. I was afraid of losing what I had, never looking at what I might be gaining. So, here I am, standing on the burning, shifting sand, and as I take a step forward, followed by another, and yet another, I begin to feel more stable. My feet are becoming accustomed to the sand and I am able to regain my balance more with each step. I am adapting to this new situation and I find that I am actually enjoying the feel of soft, warm sand between my toes.

As I make the shift from childhood into becoming an adult, moving out of my childhood house, and removing the safety net I’ve known for my entire life, I find myself remembering the fear of instability in finance, relationship, and life at this stage. The loneliness that pulls you into a darker place of homesickness and sadness. But, as with the sand, each step that I took forward in this new stage of life, the more I began to regain my balance. The more I began to enjoy this new journey, and so I moved forward, in life and on this sandy terrain.

With each step I take my footing becomes more stable again, and my confidence grows. I say to myself, this isn’t so bad, and I find myself looking forward to reaching the water’s edge and my new destination.

It approaches quicker now, as I gain my footing and pick up my pace. As I have grown to enjoy the feel of sand beneath my feet, I find myself excited at the change from sand to water. This excitement is much more embraced now, than moving from the wood onto the sand. Perhaps, as I’ve maneuvered through that first change I’ve realized that I’m okay, and I’m still standing. What did I really have to be afraid of? I actually have enjoyed the change.


And, now here I stand before the water. The gentle wave washing over my feet, cooling them with a sharp cold, that feels both painful and refreshing. It’s a shock to my body as it laps at my feet and then receeds backward.

I compare this to my life as new and exciting opportunities have come forth and if I stand there too long without moving, I realize that the opportunity will disappear, and receed as does the ocean. If I remain here, another wave, another opportunity will make its way up to me and offer it’s refeshing and tantalizing touch, but only for a short period of time. I must make a choice. To stand here and settle for a small sliver of refreshing change, or to continue moving forward, allowing my feet to carry me further out into the expanse of ocean that is never-ending and laying right in front of me. Do I settle with where I am and where I’ve come from in life, or do I embrace a new journey, entering into yet again a new terrain and a new experience.

Life is a compilation of experiences. The more you experience the more you can embrace life for each and every time it changes, because you no longer fear this change, or view it as negative, but you view it as a blessing and a new possibility to experience something simply amazing.

LIFE IS LIKE A BEACH…TRULY.

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Chris Kalisz

Written by

Explorer and Adventurist who loves working with people in regards to Movement and Stretch Therapy. Former Pro Wrestler and current Entreprenuer. Human Being!

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