Today my mom and I spent most of our hours bonding through baking in the sun and eating lunch plate but in the middle of that, I met this man. Before I get started, let me just say, I don't know what it is, but ever since I was young, people of all ages/cultures will seek me out of a crowd and share their stories with me. I absolutely love it because I get to learn about all these different souls and their cultures. I feel like through hearing their stories I always discover something new about myself.
Anyways, I knew right away there was a lot to learn from this man. He is the definition of a naturalist. He has a unique ability to connect with the environment surrounding him, whether it be the behavior of animals or why the currents change in the ocean, he really understands it. But beyond all that he has developed a deeper knowledge and appreciation for life by stripping away what "man has created" and really experiencing the raw beauty of untouched land and wild animals.
Listening to his stories and seeing photos of his journeys was incredibly inspiring. He asked me if I wanted to go for a swim in the ocean and of course, I was hesitant at first because really, I had just met him and I think he could sense that… so he then proceeded to explain to me how life as a whole is a risk. Every time I step foot in the ocean, yes something can go wrong, no matter what I do, there is always risk. Meeting someone you don't know, thats a risk too. But you have to trust that the experience and what you'll take from it will be worth it. You can't live in fear because that'll cause you to miss out on something potentially beautiful and life changing.
After all that, how could I not get in the ocean!? We went for a swim and he began explaining to me all these facts about the water, the currents, all the way down to the amount of salt in the water. Key information if you ever find yourself in a bad situation out there. He also spoke about how if you respect nature and its creatures, it will show you the respect in return but the key is to always remain at ease because it senses when you're not and that can get you into trouble.
In the middle of all this, a school of dolphins, no more than 30 yards from us, surfaced and started jumping high out of the water. They were doing flips, spins, and pretty much everything you would see at Sea World, but instead they were in their own element. Now, I've seen plenty of dolphins in the wild before but never have I seen them like this. It's corny to say but it was really a magical experience. Solidifying everything we had just spoken about.
With that said, I'm extremely thankful for the people who come into my life for whatever amount of time it may be that are willing to share their stories with me and for the people I have yet to meet. There's so much to see and experience here. Everyday you can learn something new about yourself through someone else if you choose to. Just open up your mind to it and it will find you.
