Is there a Nyad in all of us?

From surrendering to conquering the uncharted

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” (Mary Oliver, The Summer Day)

The Universe has a funny way of showing us the way. Don’t you agree?

In the exact moment when you’re about to throw in the towel and walk away, disheartened and disengaged from your surroundings, drowning in the depths of despair — “Oh, why bother?” — you ask yourself.

Have you ever created a plan so delicate and meticulously detailed that nothing in the world could have come between you and your dreams, only to wake up one morning and see a wild ocean of obstacles staring right into your face?

Tell me, what do you do in those moments when the plan becomes too overwhelming when all odds are stacked against you? I tell you my truth — I used to give up.

They say people never change, and I wholeheartedly believe in that. But does that not raise a question within you — Why? Just why do we never change? Are we perfectly flawed by design or can we really alter the course of our destiny?

Have you ever encountered pain deep in the center of your heart when all your efforts didn’t amount to anything? It’s a strange feeling, isn’t it?

It’s like you’ve transformed into a string and now you are being pulled by some invisible force — “Where did I go wrong? Shall I try again? Oh, why bother?”

But just why do people never really change? Is that because of the calling within, the direction of one’s course, the longing for the experience?

Have you ever felt the need to just do something, or even the need not to do anything?

They say you can overcome procrastination — but I don’t believe it. I believe when one procrastinates it’s the invisible force that made us perfectly flawed by design is gently guiding us, illuminating the way.

“There’s no need for you to try hard. There’s no need for you to go there. I have an easier route for you. Come follow my way.” — Tell me, who do you listen to in those moments when you’re torn between two worlds?

“Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do With your one wild and precious life?” (Mary Oliver, The Summer Day)

This story was inspired by a film I watched recently, called NYAD.

The Universe really does have a funny way of communicating with us — but in order to hear the message, we first need to learn to listen.

Some say that it is through signs and synchronicities that this benevolent force shows us the way. Could a strong urge to start a project be a sign? Could really not being bothered with wanting to do something also be a message from the Divine?

I was in a strange place yesterday. I felt called to start a project all my life. Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of being in this moment. But a few months into my plan, and there is very little to show for it.

Could I have missed the signs? Could I have misinterpreted my own feelings? Could my ego and greed have gotten in the way?

It’s a strange feeling when you’re faced with all the odds. But an even more peculiar one when for some unexplainable reason, you feel strongly pulled towards the unknown. I took coming across this yesterday as one of many signs.

Is there a Nyad in all of us?

Diana Nyad, at the age of sixty-one, attempted to make her long-term dream of swimming from Cuba to Florida a reality, conquering a 103 km long, open water, shark-infested territory.

A goal Nyad had envisioned reaching from a young age. At 28, Nyad attempted to triumph against the odds, but after 42 hours, due to severe weather conditions, Nyad had to be pulled out of water and was deprived of her dream.

But 30 years later, Nyad still felt the calling to try once again. At the age of 60, she started her training to give her dream another go.

In an interview, when asked about what motivates her to embark on such an absurd journey, Nyad replied: “Because I’d like to prove to the other 60-year-olds that it is never too late to start your dreams.”

Don’t you think Nyad is right?

Fortunately, the majority of us don’t need to brave the treacherous ocean, facing the looming threats of shark attacks or succumbing to hypothermia in order to materialize our dreams.

Yet most of us give up or never even try altogether.

I do wonder. Is it us who leave our dreams behind or is it our dreams that abandon us?

Thank you for reading.

*(Reference: Nyad — NETFLIX)

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