I recently returned from Spain’s Costa Blanca, where I had incredible experiences and learned a few things. In Altea, a beautiful seaside town, I met a new Army buddy, Tom Pappas. It is always great to meet a fellow Soldier!
Playing on the beach, I tried to grab the frisbee out of midair and missed. I told my friend, “I tried to grab it where it was and not where it was going.” I thought, wow, quite the metaphor for a lot of things. Another friend reminded me of what made Wayne Gretzky and Larry Bird great: their ability to anticipate. They knew how to position themselves where the puck or the ball was going. How are we positioning ourselves? We’ve all gone for the grab in midair and usually end up with sand in our faces. Instead, anticipation, calmness, and patience will serve us better in the long run. Plus, it allows one to learn and have more extraordinary experiences!
Typically, I walked the beach in the mornings, marveling at its beauty, but nothing was more beautiful than the humanity I witnessed. As others enjoyed the sand and sun, I noticed a small group of family members, friends, and curious onlookers gathered to watch people with health conditions or impairments enjoy the ocean. When a particular swimmer was done, lifeguards entered the water with buoy wheelchairs to help them back onto the beach. If this didn’t touch our hearts in a certain way, I’d worry about our souls. I also thought about how the world around us is made for fully able bodies. Where does this able world leave those we often refer to as physically limited, disabled, or handicapped? Watching these humans simply enjoying their beach experience made me think that perhaps we, too, are handicapped, emotionally and spiritually, and these humans are showing us how to be better despite any limitations. This experience was an empathy booster. In Spain, the local government provides this free service so all can experience the beach despite any limitations. It is a beautiful example of kindness, compassion, empathy, of humanity. We could all use a bit more of it and give more of it, too.
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