Left the house at about 10:15 this morning. Skies were completely overcast.

I get to the parking lot and the air is very pleasant. I can see some blue in the sky above but things are predominately grey here.

As I walk down the stairs, I am thinking about the impending end of Summer and how I wish it could just stay Summer. I then start doing all these mental gymnastics about telling myself that the experience of cold water is never as bad as the anticipation of cold water and just like the last two winters, the months will come and go regardless of what I think of them. Then I bring in the mental martial arts and tell myself to just not think about it. The fact is that the water is warm and nice right now. Also, it’s still August and I have well over a month and possibly more of this goodness to come. Why not just let myself enjoy that right now? Don’t be a party pooper Matt!

I get to the beach and yes, that water does feel nice.

I begin to head out and eventually jump in. There is a brief chill that comes over me and I try to just relax my body and release any tension or resistance I have.

Surfline has been talking about a swell building but I would say that it is still very much under construction. The water is calm and most of my swim today is closer to shore than usual.

The entire swim today is nice and relaxing. I mean I am getting a good workout and I can feel the fatigue in my body afterward, but with every stroke I am letting go of the tension that wants to arise in my mind. Waves of yearning and desire for certain things to be different build. I want to reach for something other than. I want to gain something that is not in my possession. I want to exchange a set of experiences that I have for another that I imagine to be better. As these waves rise, I dive beneath them before they can break on top of me. There is a sloughing off of skin. A breach of an outer shell that I release and let the water take it out to sea.

Just breath…feel the water move around me…watch the ocean floor glide underneath and then behind me…watch the birds that come and hover over the water…see the jet skier and do not hate him for the smell of gasoline, noise and artificial water turbulence.

As I finish the swim, the sky is pretty much as it was when I entered the water.

I walk up the stairs and try to remember to trust. I try to look forward to the mercy of Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.