A walk on the beach of Monterey Bay nurtures my soul and all is well in the world. Well, at least in my world, at least for that moment in time. Spending time in the quiet of nature, the forest, the beach, or the desert, is calming to the soul and washes away stress. How can you feel stressed when you are watching the ocean waves?
Last week I spent 5 days at Asilomar State Beach & Conference Grounds at Monterey Bay on the California coast attending a conference/retreat. Old redwood cabins, no televisions, no newspapers, and internet access only in the main lodge. I was with good friends in a beautiful location. It was a great get-away from it all. Amazingly, I survived a few days without hearing about the world news. And, oh, it was so relaxing! You should try it some time.
The beach at Monterey Bay is spectacular. The morning fog was so thick it left dew drops on the spider webs making them look like moss hanging off the branches. The crisp salty air, thick fog, and the sound of the waves enveloped me. As I walked along the boardwalk on the sand dunes, I came to a view-point bench inscribed with a saying: “Rest, muse, count your blessings.” It was just the message I needed. At that moment, watching the waves and birds and feeling the foggy dew drops on my eyelashes, I felt like I was in heaven. The moment could not have been more perfect. There were many blessings to count, indeed.
It is important to take time every so often, at least once a day, to count your blessings. So much of our time we spend “counting our griefs”. Shift your perspective and count your blessings. It is also good to stop, unplug from all the technology, and reflect on the present moment. Can you go an hour or two without your smart phone? Believe it or not, it is possible. You should try it sometime.
The past couple of weeks I talked about paying attention to the choices you make all day long. How did that go for you? When you take time to get out in nature (turn off your phone) and absorb the quiet, you will be able to reflect on where you are in life. When you are quiet, you might be amazed at the thoughts and ideas that bubble to the surface. Maybe it will be a new inspiration to lead you to new choices. Spend some time being quiet to allow you to listen to that still, small voice. You will eventually hear it. You should try it sometime.
Life is good. At least for right now.
Namaste.