A night early as I have some last minute things to take care of tomorrow morning…
Music is always there for me warriors. From the beginning even until now. 🎼 The song “Shallow” sung by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper from the movie “A Star is Born” inspired this post today. Parts of it sum up my spiritual life and how it has evolved with Warrior. “… we’re far from the shallow now.” I am reminded of him with another lyric: “Ain’t it hard keeping it so hardcore?”
The shallow end leads to the deep end but are you willing to “swim” there too? Maybe many thought Warrior was too far off the deep end with his disciplines and beliefs but being extreme propelled him to keep swimming.
A pool metaphor is perfect as I had two growing up, my husband had one, and we are now onto our second one with the kids. How many of you jump or dive right in? Maybe you feel more comfortable taking your time perhaps dipping a toe in at first. I have done both but am more of the toe girl or having a raft to float on. We used to laugh at my Dad who’d get in the pool like he was bathing. He’d splash the water up and down his arms and chest similar to lather! That was his way of getting used to the water temperature.
Am sure those of you with pools or swimmers can understand this. I’d love swimming in an in ground pool and being capable enough to go out to the deep end. It was so freeing and grown-up even though nobody can touch in 8 or 9 feet of water. I did it because I could and wanted to but sometimes also as a dare. I was a great swimmer and always last getting out of the pool. My Mom called me the family fish. 🐠
With other aspects in life, the “deep end” can seem scary and intimidating. I was never pushed off a diving board but sometimes we seem pushed to succeed. Even babies learn to hold their breath by being dunked underwater. Staying in the shallow end is fine but then you’ll never experience all the deep end has to offer. Sure, it’s risky but life can be which we do need. Think of all the times you went in the deep end metaphorically and did it pay off? Sometimes– yes, sometimes–no. Warrior and I have both had those moments. I bet you do too if you think hard enough. Not being careless but just experiences we all have.
Even though our professional lives were very different, publishing something brought us similarities. Warrior had high expectations (I believe at the time) with his comic books and later on, they didn’t sell very well. I love mine which was blogged as “The Spiritual Warrior” 8/22/18. I had bought too many copies of my book Spirit and Belief thinking I could hand sell them. Both of us off the deep end just a little but lessons learned. Sometimes we do need to tread water while remembering to keep our head afloat.
Perhaps you love the shallow because it’s comfortable but you’ll never feel challenged and life really is the whole pool. Warrior would dive in with ideas for his character but sometimes Vince would pull him back to the shallow just a little. My evolvement with Warrior was like dipping a toe in the water because that created longevity. If I dove head first in the water back then, I surely would’ve drown. Do you feel that way?
It’s the head and heart balance always. We need both but then that gut instinct treads along too. Our passions may push us into the water but we can choose the shallow or deep end. We need those ends just how life truly is. Some may never swim to the deep and that is their choice. Will they regret it? Who knows but life shouldn’t be about regrets. Again, a balance of being comfortable and taking chances.
I’m not a huge risk taker but I do when my interests push me farther out to that deep end. After all, if nothing interests you why swim to the deepest part when everything you need is in the shallow? I find that hard to believe but really it’s the fear. It’s the fear holding you back and not the water or situation itself. You can have others teach you to swim but you’ll eventually have to take off those floaties and just go… This is true of any other metaphor you want to connect with.
You will not feel bad about swimming for that deep end even if you can’t touch the bottom. I remember trying water skiing and being the only one in our group to attempt. I wanted to do it for me and because I love water sports, not just to impress. Never mastered it and ended up falling! After choking for a few minutes ( cue slight embarrassment 🤷🏻♀️) I did get back up and try again. Despite the outcome, I went towards a deep end while others stayed in the shallow.
Warrior was a deep end guy and not just with his character. His philosophies and introverted way of thinking I highly admire because we are the same like that. Deep end thinkers work too, not just for swimming. So, warriors the shallow or deep end? You’ll be in both but don’t fear the deep. You won’t drown if you keep swimming to the other side. Take that life preserver if you need it. Look back at the shallow and know how far you’ve gone. The water of life is waiting… “I’m off the deep end, watch as I dive in…”
P.S. Remember water is essential for us. It is fluid and always moving. You need to be that way too. We all do.
~~ Connect with me also on twitter, youtube ( video on COVID-19), and Pinterest. I would love to hear your stories of going off the deep end or any Ultimate Warrior memories!!! Stay healthy and well… 😷🧼👏🏻💜
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