6 minute read
The Surfer And The Child
The Surfer And The Child
Tenacity is required when the waves of negativity keep knocking you down
BY RALPH LOVUOLO, SR. |CONTRIBUTING WRITER, NATIONAL MORTGAGE PROFESSIONAL
The waves were rushing to shore as if they were being chased by Poseidon. So many, so fast. So many more than usual by a factor of 10. One after another after another, they were coming from every angle imaginable. I hadn’t even dumped my belongings down, but the unusual churning of the water’s intensity was so strong it immediately caught my attention. The restrictions to be at the beach had been lifted for only a few days and this was my first chance at digging my feet into the sand I love.
It had been a very long time since I’d seen the ocean this active. Maybe it was so happy to see us all it was celebrating by showing us just what it could do. But this was really unusual, a bit more like a puppy that has just been given a treat, it was jumping up and down and sideways and throwing itself all over the place. It was also obvious that the tide had just turned. The great ocean that lay before me was about to produce its great wave of the midday as it started to grow tall and show how its power was a serious threat to a peninsula that was only about 20 feet above the water’s highest level.
Walking a short distance from the ramp, I plopped myself down near the rear of the growing, but socially distanced, crowd as far away from the breaking waves as possible. If I was not going in the water, there was no need to take space away from playing children and their parents.
HAPPY CHAIR
Facing the water, my beach chair opened as if it too was glad to be there. I usually have a difficult time opening that contraption, but that day, it opened just as it was designed to do. That simple activity alone would have been enough to remember what a glorious day it was.
Even though I had taken my spot a good distance from the families that had gathered near the breakers, I was still only about 200 feet from the waters’ edge. As I sat, I positioned my canvas bag about six inches from the right armrest, so that if my phone made the slightest sound, I could quickly silence it by answering. Before I was able to crack open my book, my eyes were drawn to a surfer. He was about 300 yards out and having a very tough time standing up on his board. It seemed that as soon as he stood, another wave attacked him from a different angle. He’d fall, flailing about in the churning surf until he could collect himself, find his board, climb back on the board to paddle out again.
And then the ocean did him in again, and then again. But he didn’t quit and every few minutes, he’d succeed to stay on the board, even though it was for a mere 20 seconds or so. It was obvious that a 20-second ride pleased him because when he wiped-out he quickly made way again out to the approximate spot where he had begun his venture. He was doing all he could to try to beat the god of the sea, but only occasionally, was he able to succeed.
INTROSPECTIVE
I had missed this so. I love the ocean beach. Nothing can replace it. So many inland lakes and such try to match the magic, but I’ve never found one that could. In one fell swoop, it calms me, enervates me, inspires me, gratifies me and helps me to do the one thing that nothing else I do can replicate: Think. I’m much more introspective at the beach and in that state, I’ve always been able to enjoy my own company even more.
After reading for about an hour, and needing a break, I put my book in my canvas bag and took notice again of another surfer. This guy had replaced the previous one and was having the same challenges.
Then my attention was drawn by a child about 1-year old wobbling toward the waters’ edge. Both arms were in the air on each side of her body so she could hold her balance.
She was being watched very intently by what must have been her mother. She started to run right into the water and since it was on a downslope, she fell straight forward on her belly, chest and face, right into a small amount of surf that was left from a used to be wave. But she immediately pushed herself to stand up, still trying to balance herself and laughing so hard it brought a big smile to my face. And then she did it again. But by then, mom had caught up and was so close to catch her as she fell again into the water.
Now she stood and started to spit the water and sand she had all over her mouth. Her mom was also laughing as she held her daughter’s hands to stop her from going any further into the water. Mom turned her around to point her away from the water, but the daughter would have none of it, and as soon as mom let go, the little one tried to run into the surf only to fall again.
TENACITY
Having this experience, absorbing the tenacity of the surfer and child leads me to wax on and on about what I am asking you to see as I see it. These two people separated by about 200 yards and 20 years are simply trying to do the same thing. They want to stay on their feet for an extended period of time, let the waves move them and enjoy a beautiful day at the beach. But they have imbedded firmly in their minds and souls that to do that they need to stay upright. They know their WHY and their willing to take all the falls necessary to accomplish it.
I easily equate you to them. I see the three of you as equally intended. You want to accomplish your goals; they want to stay erect.
To be a success at whatever you do, you need to know your WHY. If you do, you’ll allow many waves to knock you off your feet. But you’ll continue to get up, sometimes you’ll catch a wave that will carry you clear through to the beach.
My hope for you is that as a salesperson, you’ll act just as the surfer did … you try and try and try.
Can you recapture your youth? Can you be like the little girl? Can you throw yourself into the water without realizing the danger? Can you see yourself being watched over carefully by a manager who will protect you from the dangers inherent in your daily tasks?
You’ll do all of this if you know your WHY.
Ralph LoVuolo Sr. has nearly 60 years history in the mortgage business. He was a co-founder/president of the NYAMB and a long-term member of the board of directors of NAMB.
BY RALPH LOVUOLO, SR. | CONTRIBUTING WRITER, NATIONAL MORTGAGE PROFESSIONAL
