I have thought so many times how life often sucks, but a very dear friend of mine and I (we) are always trying to look at the big picture (to use his words). We have a knack of using applicable scenarios to illustrate our points. Recently we have discussed how diving is something that we do that makes us happy and we take it seriously and we do it well. When diving, we work through everything with our buddy and rely on our buddy and trust our buddy (with our life).
In using scenario applications, we have figured out a way to really improve our daily lives and communications to make sure that we understand where the other is coming from and how we can be sure and be there when our buddy needs us to be. Above the water we take a lot for granted and dismiss or don't pay appropriate attention to what others say or do. Why? When under the water, we would never dare.
Life is one big dive really; so we decided to apply the scenario. We discussed how it is important to keep the other informed of the dive plan above the water as well. Make sure to let your buddy know how much PSI you have and where you are in the dive so you don't run out. i.e. "I am low on air; Something is wrong; Hey look at this, this is so cool; I need to thumb the dive;" And, the ever important "I am OOA" when there is an emergency. Mind you if you need to practice OOA skills, your buddy needs to know it is a drill. OOA is serious and can not be used any other way.
In lifes dive, some days the vis is good and some days we cant see our hand in front of our face for the crap in the water. Sometimes you can see just enough to get by but then you can decide either to appreciate what you did see or B!tch about the fact that you wish you could see more. Sometimes you dont calculate the tide changes right and you get stuck and have to wait for the next tide change. Remember to be patient because it will change. (Changes or miscalculations always throw you a foul.) Sometimes you are on a boat with someone who insists on using their coordinates instead of yours and you miss the wreck and have to search around before you find it. This is frustrating but if you know it is there; dont give up on the dive just because you get a little of course. Sometimes you get an overwhelming feeling of uncertainty or apprehension and it is comforting to have your buddy right there asking, Are you OK? and letting you know that everything is fine. Sometimes the buddy you are with may have problems that cut your exploration short but you work through it and know "well take care of the issues and there is always the next wreck to conquer."
But life, like diving is better when you have a buddy (friend(s) or special someone) that you can share the experience with; that you trust; that will be there for you and you for them. Unconditional support. You know that your buddy is there for you; will never leave you.
Attitude often plays a part as to if your dive is good or bad. But, sometimes it is your buddy that reminds you that it was good. Sometimes you get enjoyment only from knowing that your buddy had a great dive even though you weren't so impressed. You appreciate the dive from your buddys perspective and then suddenly your dive is good again.
There have been expressions of caring, admiration, and affection that have been met with dislike, dismay, and discord which have led me to write a few things down. First I think that it is important to boost others whether everyone feels that they need it or not. It does make one feel good. There are some with the gift to dote on another and there are some that feel the need to express whole-heartedly what another means to them. Or to compliment because they feel like telling another something good.
My post comes initially, from the PDAs SJ has posted for me but doesnt stop there. It seems that many go Oh yuck when seeing such statements but there are good jobs and atta boys out there as well. The later two of which are more accepted than statements between those who date or even those who are flirting. If people, SOs or not, tend to publicly compliment there are always people ready to call it a$$ kissing, when in fact it may just be an effort to make another feel good. Albeit, sometimes over the top, but that can always be reigned in with you guys, please.
Anyway, back to the point of my point.
Life is really participating in the most important dive and you need that dive buddy or friends (SO whatever) to get through it.
I have questioned what it is to be a friend and I have come across this:
Listening and not judging, giving good advice, joking and laughing a lot, treating one another with respect, being there for one another, having each others back always, sharing secrets, and having fun together.
Helen Steiner Rice said, For friendship is a priceless gift that cant be bought or sold, but to have an understanding friend is worth far more than gold.
I think that many of us here on the board have made friends that we didnt even realize according to my attempt at the translation of a friend.
I have, like many out there, had lots going on in my life and expressed how diving is sort of therapeutic. But, I would also like to say thank you to some friends here who have been very supportive privately and publicly. It is always good to have a friend to talk to, tease with, vent to and boost your ego if you will.
I would like to say a special thanks to you to those on the board who tolerate, support and teach me here. I would like to say to those of you who are extremely special behind the scenes, I think you know who you all are, I greatly appreciate you all and thank you for every single thing you do; whether it is support, listen, advise, laugh with, scold when necessary, whatever.
To SJ, man, you stand alone as a one of a kind here. You have been so much on so many levels that this is not the place to elaborate them all but, let me just say thanks for being my buddy and my friend and for teaching me and making me a better/ stronger person. You touched places in me that were untapped and you dusted off parts that were neglected and/or put away and expected never to be used again. Rediscovering me has greatly been attributed to you. Thank you. You have made me a better diver in sport and in life.
To my other life diving buddies, keep up the good work.
R
PS this is not meant to shove PDA down anyones throat, just to help with the realization that life is a big dive so why don't we act as we would underwater with sincerity and consideration and support everyday. Remember that our buddies need us and we should be there paying attention and being attentive and making sure that we don't leave our buddies stranded and remember that not everyone has the same skill levels or comfort levels so we must try to understand where they are. Make the best of your dive. Have fun. How many times do we say a bad dive is better than no dive.
Stay safe and smart and support your buddy. R
In using scenario applications, we have figured out a way to really improve our daily lives and communications to make sure that we understand where the other is coming from and how we can be sure and be there when our buddy needs us to be. Above the water we take a lot for granted and dismiss or don't pay appropriate attention to what others say or do. Why? When under the water, we would never dare.
Life is one big dive really; so we decided to apply the scenario. We discussed how it is important to keep the other informed of the dive plan above the water as well. Make sure to let your buddy know how much PSI you have and where you are in the dive so you don't run out. i.e. "I am low on air; Something is wrong; Hey look at this, this is so cool; I need to thumb the dive;" And, the ever important "I am OOA" when there is an emergency. Mind you if you need to practice OOA skills, your buddy needs to know it is a drill. OOA is serious and can not be used any other way.
In lifes dive, some days the vis is good and some days we cant see our hand in front of our face for the crap in the water. Sometimes you can see just enough to get by but then you can decide either to appreciate what you did see or B!tch about the fact that you wish you could see more. Sometimes you dont calculate the tide changes right and you get stuck and have to wait for the next tide change. Remember to be patient because it will change. (Changes or miscalculations always throw you a foul.) Sometimes you are on a boat with someone who insists on using their coordinates instead of yours and you miss the wreck and have to search around before you find it. This is frustrating but if you know it is there; dont give up on the dive just because you get a little of course. Sometimes you get an overwhelming feeling of uncertainty or apprehension and it is comforting to have your buddy right there asking, Are you OK? and letting you know that everything is fine. Sometimes the buddy you are with may have problems that cut your exploration short but you work through it and know "well take care of the issues and there is always the next wreck to conquer."
But life, like diving is better when you have a buddy (friend(s) or special someone) that you can share the experience with; that you trust; that will be there for you and you for them. Unconditional support. You know that your buddy is there for you; will never leave you.
Attitude often plays a part as to if your dive is good or bad. But, sometimes it is your buddy that reminds you that it was good. Sometimes you get enjoyment only from knowing that your buddy had a great dive even though you weren't so impressed. You appreciate the dive from your buddys perspective and then suddenly your dive is good again.
There have been expressions of caring, admiration, and affection that have been met with dislike, dismay, and discord which have led me to write a few things down. First I think that it is important to boost others whether everyone feels that they need it or not. It does make one feel good. There are some with the gift to dote on another and there are some that feel the need to express whole-heartedly what another means to them. Or to compliment because they feel like telling another something good.
My post comes initially, from the PDAs SJ has posted for me but doesnt stop there. It seems that many go Oh yuck when seeing such statements but there are good jobs and atta boys out there as well. The later two of which are more accepted than statements between those who date or even those who are flirting. If people, SOs or not, tend to publicly compliment there are always people ready to call it a$$ kissing, when in fact it may just be an effort to make another feel good. Albeit, sometimes over the top, but that can always be reigned in with you guys, please.
Anyway, back to the point of my point.
Life is really participating in the most important dive and you need that dive buddy or friends (SO whatever) to get through it.
I have questioned what it is to be a friend and I have come across this:
Listening and not judging, giving good advice, joking and laughing a lot, treating one another with respect, being there for one another, having each others back always, sharing secrets, and having fun together.
Helen Steiner Rice said, For friendship is a priceless gift that cant be bought or sold, but to have an understanding friend is worth far more than gold.
I think that many of us here on the board have made friends that we didnt even realize according to my attempt at the translation of a friend.
I have, like many out there, had lots going on in my life and expressed how diving is sort of therapeutic. But, I would also like to say thank you to some friends here who have been very supportive privately and publicly. It is always good to have a friend to talk to, tease with, vent to and boost your ego if you will.
I would like to say a special thanks to you to those on the board who tolerate, support and teach me here. I would like to say to those of you who are extremely special behind the scenes, I think you know who you all are, I greatly appreciate you all and thank you for every single thing you do; whether it is support, listen, advise, laugh with, scold when necessary, whatever.
To SJ, man, you stand alone as a one of a kind here. You have been so much on so many levels that this is not the place to elaborate them all but, let me just say thanks for being my buddy and my friend and for teaching me and making me a better/ stronger person. You touched places in me that were untapped and you dusted off parts that were neglected and/or put away and expected never to be used again. Rediscovering me has greatly been attributed to you. Thank you. You have made me a better diver in sport and in life.
To my other life diving buddies, keep up the good work.
R
PS this is not meant to shove PDA down anyones throat, just to help with the realization that life is a big dive so why don't we act as we would underwater with sincerity and consideration and support everyday. Remember that our buddies need us and we should be there paying attention and being attentive and making sure that we don't leave our buddies stranded and remember that not everyone has the same skill levels or comfort levels so we must try to understand where they are. Make the best of your dive. Have fun. How many times do we say a bad dive is better than no dive.
Stay safe and smart and support your buddy. R
