Sunday, February 8, 2015

White Water Rafting and Falling in Love


If anyone had warned me of the emotional energy necessary to navigate through this journey to find love again, I am not so sure I would have suited up for the challenge.  Perhaps a better approach would be to sit silently on the dock and just dip a toe in a bit to test the waters or secure myself into a tranquil stream with few waves or at least obstacles that are easily avoided without discernible threat, perhaps rapids rated as Class 1 or 2.  But no, I threw caution to the wind and I jumped in feet first, while still buckling up and WOW what a rush!  I’ve never been one to do anything half-way, so I guess it is not that much of a surprise.  Now that I am in, I better get my game on. 

This quest to find love again is like being in white water rapids at least in waters rated at a level of Class 3.  This is the level where experienced paddling skills are absolutely necessary.  There is plenty of excitement and the ride presents significant maneuvering, but not really all that dangerous even though some risk is involved.  It’s fun and enjoyable.  Moderate skills are needed to evade obstacles, but survival is reasonably certain for most while some swimmers may need assistance.

I’m discovering that every now and then you will come across the potential suitor who requires a more advanced white water rapid skill level, perhaps those for Class 4 waters.  This requires more skills and often sharp maneuvers are necessary; be certain that manageable danger will be encountered.  In fact swimmers will face risks and need assistance should they tumble headlong into the rapids.   

It is unfathomable to think what on earth you would do when you run across the guy that demands a skill level necessary to confidently navigate Class 5 rapids; the one who requires your utmost attention and skill because success and survival of the journey depend upon your proper execution of those skills.  This is the one you better be paying attention and not slack for a moment, because if a wave knocks you out on this one, it is going to hurt.  You can be assured damage will occur; knowledgeable rescue crews may not even be able to help you.  It will stretch and push you to your absolute limits of capability and then push harder.

If given the choice which waterway would you choose to traverse on the journey to find love?  Will you choose the safer route and stick with a Class 3 or under?  Or would you choose the more challenging Class 4 waterway, or not for the faint at heart, would you be bold, daring and maybe even a little crazy, and choose the ultimate challenge to life, limb and mind and choose Class 5?

In matters of the heart, where choice often is not based on logic or rational thought, I think you would be surprised to see how many would say that they would choose Class 5 waterway for love's quest.  We often say we want the passion, “the can’t eat, can’t sleep, can’t even function until your heart is enjoined with his” kind of love.  This type of love is the one of legends; it is the volatile passion that transcends our physicality and vibrates on a deeper more soulful level.  It’s the one that we see in Hollywood movies with the big grand swell of music at the end; the one, where when all hope is dashed, the hero emerges to claim his frightened but ever so hopeful lover. 

It is a nice thought, but in reality I think we settle for so much less.  Why?

Not me, I am definitely going for the Class 5; I want the love that consumes my soul and every bit of me.  That’s how legends are made; those are the stories we remember.   

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