When Two Oceans Meet, the Fish Go MAD

About 20 years ago, Darren and I decided to quit everything, our secure jobs, contracts and volunteer commitments and head to Australia and New Zealand for 4 months. One of the areas we landed in was Margaret River, Southwestern Australia. The peninsula - where the Southern Ocean meets the Indian Ocean.

At the time, I had no idea how sacred this site was, or how the Indigenous Culture believed that where oceans meet are places where deep healing occurs. The only understanding I had about two oceans colliding was a story from the neighbouring winery, explaining how the fish go mad at this meeting point, and that was why the winery was named “Mad Fish”!

Now I understand that when two oceans meet, fascinating natural phenomenon occur, which leads to an extraordinary spectacle in the underwater world:

a) Abrupt changes in water conditions (temperature, salinities, and nutrient levels) disrupt
the equilibrium that fish are accustomed to. Some of the fish literally go MAD, or in some cultures the thought is that the “fish become alive”!!!

b) A new and different range of microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, are introduced which leads to an increase of diversity and shifts their microbiome.

c) Amidst this apparent chaos, opportunities for adaptation and resilience emerge. Some fish species, equipped with the ability to pivot quickly, may seize the chance to explore new territories and find untapped resources.

Which of course led my brain to ponder, how this may apply to my life or the lives of those around me….

Have you ever felt like there are two oceans colliding within yourself, or between yourself and another? That your state of equilibrium has become unbalanced, or skewed and you can’t find centre?

Have you ever had the experience, where you CAN’T understand why something is happening or has happened, and it’s creating tumultuous emotions?

For the last year, these questions led me to marinade with Lao Tzu’s philosophy to
“Be like Water.”

What does that MEAN? Should one strive to ALWAYS be like a river, stream, or beautiful
waterfall?

Fluid
Harmonious
United
Patient
Flowing
Balanced
Nurturing

What happens in certain seasons of life, where One is a wee more chaotic in nature?.. when
one feels like a tsunami, a rogue wave, or even a riptide….

Powerful
Full of Force
Churning
Strength beyond measure
Unpredictable
Persistent

Or how about when one experiences a gigantic shift, or change in situations – and is it not like
two oceans running head on into each other and there is NO control to be had??

Chaos
Boundaries challenged.
Massive Internal Changes
New Environments Created
Uniqueness Maintained
Turmoil
Force
Joint Power
Boundaries

Do I NEED to be like a peaceful Pond?
What if we get to experience “being like water” in different ways and in different seasons of our lives?

What if, when one is in the season of 2 oceans colliding, we are in a season of massive growth not imminent death? (Although it may feel like it).

What if amidst the churning and chaos something new is being created, that we cannot see and only get to trust?

What if, when our mental guppies are swimming upstream, a part of us is coming alive?

What if, it all comes back to BALANCE…. (My word for the year). Learning how to navigate the churning of 2 oceans colliding, and not lose one’s mind. And in the process, get to navigate inner resilience, facing fear, meeting challenges with grit and eventually explore a brand-new microbiome called YOU!

I get, that there are going to be times we all need assistance, in whatever form it takes, but I’m curious if we take a perspective that, when two oceans collide in our worlds, this could be creating massive growth not just imminent death. That this maybe for our expansion and …. what if we DON’T have to LOVE IT!!

But I also am curious about the potential of releasing the preconceived notion that one need to be harmonious, or peaceful, and give oneself permission to “BE LIKE WATER” in whatever form or way - life seems to present.

Permitting oneself to experience all the ways that water flows. Not planned, or contained - just allowing what is - to BE…. WHATEVER WATER YOU ARE IN.

Here’s to being water….

Rosie