Highest I’ve Ever Felt

 

There are only a few occasions where I felt absolutely high on life and reaching a state of euphoria that I have never felt before. Perhaps when the clarity rivals Australia at Carmel beach, or a nuclear sunset ignites in Santa Cruz, or listening to a live version of your favorite song at a concert. Your heart screams in joy, you almost want to cry out of happiness.ย 

Last winter, I flew across the world to the Maldives, the epitome of tropical paradise and a dream vacation. After the trip, I certainly felt happy and had fun, which should be expected with the significant price tag I paid and all the physical fatigue just to get there.ย 

But today, the striped bass were running at Ocean Beach, prime of the season. My dad and I couldnโ€™t sleep last night, our fishing gear and tackle was lined up for the morning. Fishermen were already out before the crack of dawn. We picked a spot, set the spikes, and kept our expectations low as we always do when fishing. Then in about an hour, one of our poles got the first hit of the day.ย  We landed a 35โ€ striper and then another. I will never forget that moment when I saw one of our fishing poles moving erratically, indicating a hook up. Fish on!!!. It was a feeling of high I never felt before in my life. Watching my dad, patiently fighting for 15 minutes, and finally reeling it in, I donโ€™t think have ever seen my dad so high on life before.ย 

I realized, I had more fun right here at home, without even getting into the car, without spending a penny that day or even needing electricity, than I did traveling to the other side of the world. Iโ€™ve always heard the phrase that the best things in life are free, but to prove it to yourself is gratifying. I no longer feel a need to have to travel all over the world to find joy or to get away from it all. There is no need to spend thousands of dollars to have fun. Learning to appreciate what you are given, the simple pleasures in life, there is no place like home.ย 

 

July 7, 2019 | Fishing Lessons