The Power of 20.

I'm always happy when I'm surrounded by water. I think I'm a mermaid or was a mermaid. The ocean makes me feel really small
and it puts my whole life into perspective. It reminds me I am this very little piece of this huge earth and it humbles you and it grounds you. It makes me feel almost like I've been baptized and I'm one again when I get out of the ocean.
                                   
                                               - Beyonce Knowles


For some unbeknownst reason to me, the number twenty has featured heavily in my life this week. In the first instance it was to do with surfing. I traveled back to Saltburn on Thursday to surf with my good friend Jemima and I think to reconnect with myself. 

Due to time restraints we had only a short period in which to catch some waves. Nick the wonderful surf shack owner from the beach front gestured when we had only twenty minutes remaining. 
When I got back into the ocean I surfed hard I knew it would be a while before I'd have this feeling again so I made sure I felt every molecule against my skin. I indulged in the feeling of being swept away by the tide and the lightness of the board being pulled from underneath me. I even embraced my wipe outs thinking how important it was to appreciate this learning curve. 

Saltburn in all its rugged glory. 

Sometimes its good to see life from a different perspective. 

The happiest Labradoodle in the world!

I am but a small person and this is a very big world.

Jemima the surfer girl ready for business! 

The city of York 

Perspectives from the city of York.

Then to the train station where I had a twenty minute delay. At first I was frustrated and just wanted to be home. But then I listened, I mean actually listened to the music on my mp3 player and watched life unfolding around me. I witnessed goodbyes between lovers, families reuniting and cool hipsters getting ready for a night out. It reminded me that my life will go on and that I should continue to hope and dream for things because every cloud has a silver lining. 

Lastly I found myself in on a Saturday night. I felt panicked like I was missing out on something, after two days of surfing and constant distraction a night with just myself suddenly seemed torturous.I ignored my panic and instead did twenty minutes of yoga. Pushing my body through rounds of sun salutation made me focus on my breathing and gave me the clarity I needed. Reflection is good, being alone can be good too. Its important post break up to be kind to yourself, to explore your sadness and then start rebuilding. 

Sophia loves Casper. Casper loves Sophia! 

I am grateful every day of my life for discovering surfing and for the way its enabled me to meet some fantastic people. My Saltburn surf buddy is a miraculous person who I feel so grateful to have shared such a positive experience with. We're not just surf buddies I think we're friends for life. Nick the surf shop owner is a wizened soul who gave me the best compliment of my life 

"I see a lot of people try surfing who I know aren't going to do it. You two I think are going to be good surfers" 

The word is. Stoked. 

Stay strong and surf well 

Love Sophia 

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