Nervous energy courses through my veins, spurring me on
The tension builds, adrenaline flows
The internal pep talk begins
\"You can do this!\"
\"Step up,\"
\"It is but a single moment in time.\"
I approach the beach
The sea is beckoning
Teasing me, enticing me
I gaze out longingly.
I want to do this,
I will do this!
I\'m ready.
I kick off my shoes and take flight
Runing down the beach
Generating momentum
Attempting to build heat
Suddenly a pebble grabs my attention
I stop fleetingly before I recognise this for what it is...
A delaying tactic
A chance for my conscious mind to talk me down
I stop and re-focus
Lets do this!
The icy water meets my toes
Ripples emanating from every step
A blanket of never ending circles dancing around my legs
I\'m communicating with the sea
I go deeper
It\'s hard to breathe
My breath comes in gasps
I struggle to maintain a steady rhythm
The power of the ocean is intense, mesmerising
But still it draws me deeper
A wave emerges effortlessly from the infinite turquoise carpet
It\'s tip building to a bubbling mass of white
Glistening brightly, reflecting the sun overhead
I leap towards the heavens as it crashes down around me
Soaking me from head to foot
I\'m done!
I turn and head for the safety of the shore
But as I do, something strange happens
As the cold penetrates the very essence of my soul
An inner longing stirs deep inside
A spark is ignited
A burst of electricity spreads through me
Energy races from cell to cell
Awakening every sense in my body
I gaze longingly back at the crystal clear waters
I\'m hooked,
I want more,
I\'m going in again.
This time it\'s easier, warmer
I\'m afloat on an inner buzz
I ride the crest of a wave
My first few strokes in the ocean
A smile breaks from my lips
I\'m elated, invigorated
Ready for the day
I give myself a pat on the back
\"I knew you could do it\"
I feel a sense of pride, and if I\'m honest, a little flutter of relief rise up inside
I fist bump the air
MIssion accomplished!
I feel a deep sense of completion
An inner stillness
I will be back
Of that I\'m sure