Page 126 - THE ENDLESS WAVE | Skateboarding, Death & Spirituality

THE ENDLESS WAVE | PART TWO
You’ll find that the more that you participate in skating this metaphorical halfpipe of grief, you’ll build up your momentum and flow and your connec- tion to your loved ones on the other side grows. There are times when you’ll really ease into the flow between your experiences with the Other Side and other times when you’ll find difficulty in doing so. Allow this to unfold gently and at your own pace and know that through your own experience of this, you’ll find inspiration and joy for living out life in honour of yourself and your loved ones.
Death and the departure of a loved one can happen so suddenly. It affects us all differently because every person in the physical side and on the other side is different. Each person that crosses over is like their own halfpipe. Different curves, sizes and styles of build make it different to skate.
The closer you are to the person, the bigger the halfpipe. Their departure will most likely affect you more than it does with someone who you may not have been as close to. There is a bigger learning curve, a steeper transition and maybe a scarier feeling of riding a bigger transition with a higher impact on your life moving forward. Despite all this, there is a deep sense of satisfaction that comes with learning to skate bigger transitions and the same goes for life and life after. While there are more impacting characteristics associated with losing someone closer to you, there will be a much stronger, more valid con- tinuing relationship with them from where they are on the other side.
Take your time to process your grief as you would take time to learn to adapt to new terrain. It might feel uncomfortable at first and with your intention, dedication and participation, you’ll find your own unique way to ride it out and keep the stoke going.
Love unites and binds through and beyond time and space. Each session, each ramp is different, yet so satisfying. The same can be said about each relation- ship that you have with those in your life, past, present and future.
Love to live and live to love. Skate or die!
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