I have been to Greece for a few days this summer. It is a wonderful country and although I have been there several times, it never ceases to amaze me. I love everything about it: the landscape, the people, the food and I would definitely say it is one of the countries to see before you die.
Now, let me tell you about my latest vacation there. I am the kind of person who does not want to miss anything when in vacation. I always want to make sure I see everything and I make the most of my time there. It was the same this time, and because I love scuba diving I booked two dives with a local diving company. I did not even thought before: I have only four days there; do I really want to spend more than half a day doing scuba diving with a bunch of people I don’t know? My mind’s prepared answer was: “of course I do; I want to make the best of my holiday, don’t I? “
And when the day for scuba came, I woke up agitated and on the way there I found myself hoping that I would arrive too late and that the boat has already left. I was quite nervous and I was doing lots of silly things which I usually do when there is something that bothers me. Nevertheless, I went on with the plan – I was the one who planned it, so this was what I wanted, wasn’t it?
We arrived at the diving spot, I put on my gear and I could see that I was nervous. I realized that for the first time since I started diving I was afraid. I jumped into the water, I looked down and I was more scared of the abyss below than eager to explore it. I started the descent and I could not equalize the pressure in one of my ears (either my nervousness or a medical issue or both) and it started aching badly. And again, for the first time in my life as a diver, I panicked and started a rapid ascension (this is one of the worst things you can do when diving). I surfaced safely and the owner of the diving company offered to take me diving again in two days.
By the end of the day it was clear to me that the reason for the agitation and the panic was that I actually hadn’t wanted to dive that day there. I spent several hours the day before the second scuba attempt thinking what I should do tomorrow. The reasonable thing to do was to go: I had already paid the money and, after all, I love scuba. But on the other hand I was loosing another half a day (my last day in Greece this year) on a boat, with some strangers to see things I did not want to see, instead of relaxing at the beach with the loved one.
And for the first time since I remember, I chose to do what I wanted and not what was reasonable. I chose to do what was easier and most pleasant for me. And I know that for most of the people, this is not much, but for me this is the first step I take off the treadmill I am currently riding. If I were to take the decision two years ago, I would have gone diving. Back then I needed to prove to myself that I am not lazy (I do not choose something just because it is easier) and that I can conquer my fear. Now I have nothing to prove to myself or to others.
But reflecting at all that, made me realize that the way I behave in vacation is similar to the way I behave every day. I am always thinking: am I on the right path? Am I doing the best I can to follow this path I have chosen? Am I by any chance getting lazy or wasting my time?
And you know what happens? I am wasting a lot of time and energy every day just answering those questions in my mind. And you know what else happens? I do not let myself play and relax. I need to remember that life is not about striving, life is about enjoyment and having fun and playing and chatting with my friends. And if it turns more into striving than having fun then I’m not doing it right. When I choose a path and follow it to achieve a goal, if I’m exerting myself too much along the way then maybe it is not my path and it is not my goal.
I realized during these few days that there is nothing wrong into following what society calls (or what may seem now) a wrong path. Life is full of surprises and you never know where you might arrive. You only need to follow your heart. Plus, if you are determined to fiercely chase only one dream and only one goal, you might miss other opportunities that appear along the way.
I read a quote once (I think it was from the Buddhist wisdom) which said that if we slow down from our run through life, we allow the good things to reach us.
So…. slow down and enjoy the ride!
