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After each series of encounters swimming with various whales, there was a point where I knew and felt content that it was time for us to move on and leave the whales to get on with doing their ‘own thing’….or to feel the cooler air and the softer light on my back to return to a little cafe at the pier where the delight of roasted coconut and salty, hand-cut, hot chips accompanied reflections and words which best described the day for each of us…. but secretly did I want more?

Throughout the day often I just sat with visions of my experience rocking through my thoughts as the boat chugged slowly toward another location on the ocean. I felt humbled. I recognised this absolute privilege.

Mothers and calves. Singers. Pectoral fin slapping. Escorts. Pods of five. Repetetive tail slapping. Pods of ten in a ceremony protecting a female about to calve. Breaching.

I felt so happy and content; yet over the hours and days, sneaking up silently from within me was a hunger and an excitement to experience more. I could sense an innocent innateness within me that I wanted to nurture and let grow without hindrance.  I felt butterflies in my tummy when I woke up. I felt an eagerness about what not only the day would open to ..but perhaps what I would open myself to as well.

Was I being greedy? I felt an inquisitive anticipation of what other experiences I would be privileged to. Was I not satisfied with what I have experienced more than most people on the planet have had the opportunity to? I questioned why after I had experienced something so profound, and after breathing such contentment; that I still had bubbling within me a yearning to experience and feel more. Was I being ungrateful? I felt content, but still had an excitement silently flying within me. Was it wrong to want to open to and explore something new and be in the mystery of the unknown?

For me my answer is NO. Perhaps I am being greedy, but for me that’s ok. For me to be human and to honour and celebrate my existence IS to want to open and to experience and feel as much as I can…. in celebration of my “wild and precious life.” (once again thank you Mary Oliver).

I endeavour to honour and learn from all of my experiences…. . and although I connect with such expansion and contentment through some of them; my learning encompasses the unveiling of and deeper connection of who I am and that which is beyond who I am… and if experiencing more means I can connect more deeply with that which is Beyond me so I can express a greater reverence for my life… I say BRING MORE ON!!!

So until next Whale Swimming in Tonga, and whatever experiences open to me ahead each day and minute…..with humble gratitude to the whales for letting me play in their space and witness the silent flight within me of my yearning to open to experience, expand and celebrate.