As we reach the end of another year, one thing is certain the one thing we can count on is change. Seasons change, fashion changes, friends come and go, our goals, our likes dislikes change and our health stands in the balance of a see-saw not knowing when we will go up or come down.

When I was staring my medical career, I knew I was in for a long haul of commitment and focus. I needed to get myself prepared for what laid ahead mentally. So my best friend from childhood and I decided to take a trip to Acapulco. No better way to replenish the soul and mind than by sitting at the edge of the ocean contemplating and listening to the sound of the  waves. After 27 hours, we finally arrived anxious to enjoy the beach, my friend and I ventured out in the evening as the sun was going down and the tides were beginning to pick up. Yet, all we wanted was to bask in the view and maybe get our feet wet a bit. I carefully laid out my beach towel, my clothes, sandals, and other possessions, I was about to sit on my towel when a huge wave crashed upon the shore engulfing my belongings. Our carefully chosen spot had proven to be not far enough from the rising evening  tides. Apparently, this was high tide season. As the waves retrieved, it carried with it all my possessions leaving me mystified.

As I watched all of my things being dragged into the ocean, I took off running after it. It had taken my wallet. However, the waves were not only faster but retrieved deeper into the bay. As we sat there a bit dumbfounded about how quickly it had all happened taking us by surprise and resigning myself that on my first day I had lost all my money.  When a few minutes later another huge wave happened upon the shore bigger than the first one as it crashing briskly upon us and the rocks but as it retrieved I began to notice a resurfacing of my things. Quickly my friend and I sprang to retrieve my wallet first before it could be engulfed again perhaps this time never to be seen an de completely ruining my vacation. Of course, everything was completely soiled. The large beach towel was filed with muddy sand, seashells and a few small crabs. I did not care all my things were back.

This event thought me that sometimes the change of the tides can take us by surprise leaving us discombobulated and dumbfounded, wondering were to go next or what to do.

But, just as surely as the sun rises and sets, if  we just keep breathing staying alive fighting for the things we want and keeping a watchful eye eventually the same tide will come again bringing back that which we thought was gone and lost forever. Better yet giving us a way to move from the shore to new lands and dreams because at some point all of us have to move person past the crest line.

as we start a brand new year with 365 blank pages to fill, remember that although we are not in control of when the tide comes in or how big the crest of the waves are, we are in control of how we allow the tides of life to impact us. In the same trip a couple of days later, my friend and I decided to eat at this mom and pop makeshift restaurant on the same beach while we ate barefooted. I enjoyed the coming and going of the waves past my feet underneath the table where we sat. To this day I savor the thought and wish to return to that place.

So as you find yourself face to face with an unexpected tide which might leave you Topsy curvy rather than panic or give up; wait awhile the tide will eventually change allowing you to move forward an din doing so take inventory and breath in the endless possibilities. Notwithstanding that It is our impossibilities that become our greatest gifts – it certainly has been the case for me having reinvented myself and enjoying my life fully despite living with pd for a decade.

Trust that nothing is ever wasted and in the end if you allow yourself to embrace the changes that the tides brings you will emerge softer, gentler, kinder, more courageous, and stronger than ever.

Happy Holidays!

@copyright 2017

all rights reserved by Maria De Leon MD