How Do You Get a Life Like a … Seal?

How Do You Get a Life Like a … Seal?

It was a superb day for a walk as we clambered along Cape Bridgewater. The walk has magnificent views, and it's got a bit of undulation to make sure you get a healthy amount of exercise. We paused at the end of a section and peered down. Way below us, there was a bob of seals.

There they were, just splashing about in the waves and generally having a wonderful time. I’m sure I saw a couple of them actually catch a wave and ride for a while. They jumped and frolicked as if they had nothing better to do. There was no thought of time limits, deadlines, meetings, argy bargy and sadness. All they did was simply muck about in the water.

I came away envious and puzzled. I mean, for one thing, how do you get a job like that? Something where you just fool about and have a lovely time doing what you were supposed to be doing.

And why, when and how did we make our lives and world so complex, bewildering and complicated? It seems that all the seals achieved is to develop a penchant for fresh fish while we, who are the more ‘intelligent’ creatures, have invented nuclear warheads, firebombing, courts, carjacking, domestic violence and financial scams.

Part of the answer to my dilemma is that some people, and they are in the tiny minority, have chosen to push boundaries and break rules. They have chosen to see their rights as more deserving than the other. Thus, there have to be rules and this goes way back to those things called the 10 commandments.

So… how do you get a life like a seal? Maybe it has something to do with just staying within the lines. Perhaps the laws liberate us, not confine us.