You can achieve and experience more when you stop being serious and let yourself go

I've had my morning swim and it's nearly 40 degrees so I decide to take a gentle teatime snorkel for maybe just 20 minutes, or until my severely arthritic right shoulder and left hand joints give in. My body has learned that it has to literally stop working because my head refuses to acknowledge I have limits, including pain.

As I amble along in wonky front crawl, considering whether I'll still be able to do this after my imminent shoulder joint replacement, I start to notice what's around me.

Unusually for me, this is an activity orientated rather than goal orientated swim, I'm not bothered about progress on my Smart Watch.

Effectively I'm allowing myself to play and be curious, by far the best way to open new lines of creative thinking. Before long I'm tuning out, peeling back 360 degree layers of hitherto hidden beauty. As I peer down, the bleached brown grey grasses come alive with shoals of pale shimmering fish. Beneath these, an even thicker darting body of dull fish emerges. On closer inspection they are a rich orange shade. I'm so transfixed and in the flow that I fail to notice that I have travelled beyond the headland, to a craggy volcanic outcrop carpeted in what comes close to how coral used to look. Whilst mostly still bleached, splashes of pale pink, salmon red coral sways in beat to the lapping waves (I’ve entered more exposed sea). I'm able to squeeze between the sharp rocks into a hidden treasure trove of coral and beautiful multicoloured fish of all dimensions traveling in pairs, groups, solo or large throngs. My eyes are level with theirs and our bodies intertwine to the sound of singing coral, yes actually singing! So loud I have to stick my head above water to check it isn't man-made. 

A number of things come to mind as I swim back 40 minutes later having lost sight of the boat and happily so.

1. I did not set out to achieve a goal of getting from A to B in X time, consuming Y calories, and ticking off my daily movement goal. I had no agenda, no time limits and no expectation
2. After a few unhelpful thoughts and beliefs about limitations, overdoing it, damaging myself, too hot, can’t be bothered, I tuned out to Nature and truly connected with it. Eventually I was in mindful flow and tuned in to my core self. Relaxed body, slow steady breath, happy homeostasis achieved.
3. I was playful, curious, risk taking, being funny, childlike, smiling
4. I learned and experienced something for the first time. I’m privileged to have snorkelled and swum in the stunning vibrant coral reefs of Melanesia but up until today never realised how loudly coral sings.

My take home message 

1. It is worth exploring beyond your perceived limits.
2. You can achieve and experience more when you stop being serious and let yourself go.