When I was seven, my parents mocked me for being afraid to drive our jetski solo; their taunts stung like the lake spray on my sun-kissed skin.
Fighting an internal battle, mustering every ounce of courage within my small frame, I finally caved to their relentless prodding.
I can still feel the coarse, torn-up mat beneath my knees and the cool rubber grips between my hands as I took control of a machine far more significant than myself at the time – or so I thought.
This was, of course, in the carefree 1980s, shortly before laws were implemented on driving ages and, well, let's face it, when life was a bit more deliciously unrestrained.
I vividly remember my inner monologue as well.
I was angry, scared, and screaming in my head with a ferocity that belied my meek exterior, "I'll show them I'm not a baby..." – so much angst coursing through my little body.
As a child, I was painfully shy, quiet, and reserved, a wallflower in a world of vibrant blooms.
Little did I know then how brilliantly cunning my parents were.
The further from the safety of the beach I ventured, the more my rage at the uncomfortable challenge morphed into pure, unadulterated exhilaration.
The breeze whipped through my hair, the roar of the engine drowned out my fears, and the world shrank to just me and the boundless waters before me.
What my parents taught me that day is that fear is an illusion, a construct of our own minds that holds us back from experiencing the thrill of life in all its glory.
By pushing me to face my fears head-on, they helped me realize that no one can control us except ourselves.
We are the masters of our own destiny, the captains of our souls.
Life is full of wildcards, surprises that can either paralyze us with trepidation or embolden us to embrace the unpredictable.
The only way to truly live is to let go of our self-imposed limitations and ride the wave of adventure wherever it may take us, with reckless abandon and an insatiable zest for the unknown.
Fear can cripple you, no matter your age or the number of lessons you've mastered.
If you're still breathing (which I'm going with a yes on since you're reading these words ;)), you still have lessons to learn, experiences to savor, and fears to conquer.
Remember that when you hit the eye of the storm, that fleeting moment of calm before the chaos resumes.
Take a deep breath, find your center, and understand that you can laugh in the face of adversity, for it is in those tempestuous moments that you truly live.
Turns out you meet some pretty cool, scrappy humans when you live your life as if it matters, when you embrace each day as a gift to be savored and cherished.
It's been a while since I last wrote - so many stories remain untold.
For now, a toast – to the fathers who push their children to step into the game, not out of cruelty, but out of a profound desire to see them spread their wings and soar.
For all the right reasons, they nudge us towards greatness, even when we resist, kicking and screaming.
Happy Father's Day, to the men who taught us that fear is merely a hurdle to be leapt over, an obstacle to be conquered with courage, resilience, and an unyielding spirit of adventure.
Cheers, my friends.
May your stories be as wild and boundless as the vast oceans before us.
Jules
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