You may or may not know this about me, but (and stay with me here) the foundation of my passion, work and life is inspired by a gang of sea turtles. I know, I really just said that – I pattern my world off the rhythm of a gargantuan, awkward, ancient creature and strangely, it’s made all the difference.
Now before you lose all faith and trust in my mental faculties, let me explain . . .
Up to several years ago (and 50 years of my life!) I was a doer. I was a striver, pusher, achiever and hustler. I was always on the go; moving and producing and driving.
I see now that I equated how hard and how well I worked to how worthy or lovable I felt I was but at the time, it was all I knew. Regardless of my exhaustion, sadness, frustration and hardship, I would double down to do more. I was bending over backwards to do it all and to not let anyone down in the process. I was trying so hard all the time, yet I don’t think I could actually tell you what that elusive “more” I was seeking was . . . I just could feel that something was missing.
Oh, it makes me so sad for that sweet girl I once was. She just didn’t know that she didn’t need to do more, to be more.
But then one day, on a beach in Hawaii, it all changed. Not a bad place for an epiphany!
Serendipitously, I came across a gathering (or bale, as I now know they’re called) of sea turtles lounging on the beach. Tons of them! And I was captivated. I watched for what seemed like hours as they just laid there, soaking up the sun amongst their pals. Occasionally one would slowly get up, lumber down the beach and slip into the water and then another would emerge from the waves, shuffle back up, perhaps collapse next to a buddy and that was it.
How were these “lazy” and somewhat goofy creatures the ones that would outlive us all?
While snorkeling a few days later, I came across another turtle. While I was fighting against currents, literally efforting to just stay still, my turtle friend was in total flow with the very same current. There appeared to be zero resistance; only flow, ease and even play. What a contrast from what I had observed on the beach earlier. What a contrast from my own existence.
I then spent a ton of time in consideration of the rhythm of the sea turtles I observed. There seemed to be a formula to their ease and for a girl desperately looking for some of her own, the timing couldn’t have been better.
I came to see a certain loop. When needed, they lounged on the beach to rest. They restored themselves and their energies with the sun, their community and nourishment and then when, and only when they felt ready, did they slip back into the water in total flow. And the cycle would begin again. It dawned on me – could I bring that loop of rest, nourishment and flow into my own life?
Thus began my experimenting with my own sea turtle pattern, or “Turtling”, as I call it 🐢
Very slowly and cautiously, I began to let myself slow down and rest. I learned to let go of the loud feelings of guilt and selfishness while I learned to nourish myself.
I listened carefully as to how to best refill my tank and restore myself.
And if and when I was ready, I heeded the call to find activity again – this time, with much more intention.
As a result, my life began to flow so much easier. Instead of that old resistance, I seemed to be moving with not against the current.
I was better able to prioritize my obligations, I learned to say no which gave me so much more capacity to love and give than before . . . and to do so in a much more authentic and loving way.
I became far more efficient, productive, creative, innovative and most importantly, present to the many joys and love in my life. “Turtling” has changed my life.
I offer this story of origin because if you too have felt exhausted, stuck, uncertain, frustrated; if you have felt like you’re swimming upstream through your life, trying to achieve or find your “more”, there is an easier and more generative (and far more fun!) way.
Embrace your inner sea turtle. While it’s certainly nice, you don’t have to go anywhere to do this. Invite in your own loop of rest and restoration so that you find that without force, you can rise into the greatness that you are with ease and joy.
I recently walked those same Hawaiian beaches again and it was so fun to be able to reflect on the difference those turtles had made all those years ago . . . and to this time, be present to the beauty and love around me instead of hurrying past it.
I wish you the very same. I wish you ease, flow, space, love, play, turtling and SO MUCH JOY ♥️