06 Oct Learning from Laird
We all need good role models for our kids. In every discipline, there are. The things they’re passionate about change and their tales are different, but it is always inspiring and interesting to hear about their own lives and the philosophies they subscribe to. We are all comfortable with large names in basketball and football, but at the world of big wave surfing, Laird Hamilton is pretty much the bomb.
Surfer magazine claims Laird is “the sport’s most complete surfer, showing almost unnerving experience in a multitude of disciplines, and flat out surfing’s biggest, boldest, bravest, and…best big wave surfer in the world today, bar none.” That’s how great he is, and if you watch him browse a giant tide, you will pretty much wind up spellbound. He does stuff that most people would not even have the guts to attempt, and he has lived his life pushing the envelope to research what he is capable of.
It’s difficult to rub shoulders with somebody who has lived like that and not have any of their excitement inspire you. Lewis Howes (the guy behind The College of Greatness podcast) interviewed Laird to talk with him about different parts of his life, and here are a few of the things he needed to say.
***He quoted Thoreau who said: “Disobedience is the real foundation of freedom, and the obedient will likely be slaves.” He explained that he has a buddy that refers to him as a contrarian, but it seems that Laird totally believes in being true to himself. You can’t do what everyone else is doing only because they are doing it or it’s expected. You have to be that you are instead of adapting to something that does not ring true for you.
***He talked about being in the NOW–living at the present moment of what you are experiencing, and that’s something that happens every time you’re on a tide. He said: “The action of riding a tide actually has no beginning and no ending–it is only a point of where you left off. …There is ends of rides and starts of rides, but browsing itself–the act of riding the tide, that motion, that sense–that is only a place where there is no moment; there is no beginning and no end. That is the reason why we seek it out.” These kinds of experiences get us “in the zone,” exploit our power, and need an extreme focus that is clarifying.
***He also discussed his decision to quit drinking, but what he said about that adventure was really enlightening. He said that his mom had been fond of the quotation: “In case you can not be true to yourself, you can’t be accurate to anyone.” He realized that maybe he was not being truthful to himself by saying that he could stop drinking when he was not really doing it. He started to wonder how dedicated he could really be in his relationships if this kind of inconsistency manifest itself in other areas of his life. That drive to be honest and honor his convictions led him to quit drinking cold turkey.
***He said, “If there were not any waves, there’d be no life.” Without storms that attract moisture, life couldn’t exist. He believes that this is true for us too; as humans, we also need “storms” in our lives to churn up us and help us grow.
***He feels a lot of gratitude He’s been able to generate a career out of something that he enjoys, and noted: “I am about some of the wealthiest people on the planet and that I feel sorry for them since with that abundance of wealth, they don’t have what is the best gift–the greatest treasure–that is…having good relations, but finally, great adventures, …[the] ones that you can not purchase. …You can not buy skill and you can’t buy experience. You need to earn it and you have to learn it” What a fantastic piece of wisdom to pass on to our young folks: If you have a dream and want to experience certain items, you’re likely to need to set in the time and the work in order to learn the ability, and make the adventures that come as you live that skill.
***He reflected on the importance of being honest, being able to acknowledge when you are wrong and apologize, loving authentically, and being a dependable person that people can count on.
***He’s a fan of the expression: “Speed and take opportunities.” He explained that “caution can kill the cat,” but being willing to speed and take chances hones your focus and opens doors –and you will never know what will come from it.
If you have never had the opportunity to see this man on a surfboard, look for a few clips. If you’ve got a young athlete in your residence, you can inspire them whatever their game –by introducing them to Laird’s story and talking together about a few of his philosophies. Do not we want our kids to be affected by people who are ready to take chances and work toward their dreams?
As a motorcoach provider, we like absorbing a number of the favorable energy that goes into a game as we transfer teams to clinics, games, tournaments, and championships. Our charter bus rental Maine are great because the staff can travel together, and there’s sufficient storage space for equipment, coolers, personal luggage, and anything else that needs to come together. We’d really like to help your staff the next time you want to travel, and we’re just a phone call away!
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