I gave myself an extra 30 minutes before my weekly meeting with my nutritional coach/trainer…her office is right across from Nantasket Beach, which is one place that holds such fond memories from my childhood. It has always been my centering place. But it is almost an hour from my home, so I don’t go there as often as I’d like to.
Yesterday morning, I was so excited, feeling like this time to walk the beach was the best gift I could give to myself. It was only 10am, so there was plenty of parking and the beach was fairly empty (probably because kids are still in school). I walked onto the sand…and immediately took my sneakers off. When I walk the beach, I HAVE to do it barefoot, otherwise it’s like wearing a bathing cap to go swimming…something I always hated to do when I was on the swim team in 8th grade...but I digress. You get the point…I need to feel the sand squish between my lil toes, and if I’m brave enough, venture over to the water, and feel the coolness of it on my feet.
On this day, the beach was peaceful, warm, quiet…and I decide…walking on this beach is my little slice of heaven. No matter what is going on in my life…the beach brings me home to myself. In fact, when I was going through my divorce 10 years ago…I actually felt ‘beckoned’ by the beach…to feel the pulse of my own heart, and hear my own thoughts as I walked.
Often when I walk at home, or at the gym, I listen to Latin music (Zumba songs) on my IPod to keep my pace and help me stay motivated. But when I walk the beach, it’s a sacred time for me. I take a time out from external noise, I choose to NOT have any distractions. Those are the moments that I hear God’s quiet whispers.
Moments like these also help me to notice what is happening around me. I firmly believe that life offers opportunities to learn little lessons (not painful ones!) in whatever it is that we are noticing. This day proved no different.
My first “gem” was seeing a man with headphones on, using one of those metal detectors. I passed by him once on the beginning part of my walk. I silently said a prayer for him, “I pray you find what you’re looking for…” On my return back, I approached him again. This time, he was busily engaging his shovel, digging, digging, digging…he was down about 8 inches digging, digging, digging. And the thought that came to me was, “I pray that you’ll find what you’re looking for, as you’re digging yourself this hole.” Then God stepped into my thoughts (as God frequently does, when I am quiet) and gave me another perspective.
Sandy, many dig their own holes, but never feel “whole” , because what they are truly searching for cannot be found outside of them. Even if someone has dug a hole too deep…and it feels empty, tell them to invite me right there in the emptiness. I am there for them.
I took that wisdom, tucked it into my mind to write down later. Having been able to hear God thoughts for so long, this has become second nature to me…it’s very comforting, and reassuring to know that there is a presence that is with me, available to me, whenever I take a break from the noise and distraction that is part of my life.
The next little “gem” I witnessed was this adorable little girl who was about 5 years old. She was right by water’s edge in her little bikini, dancing by herself. She was pretty good too! I looked over at her mom, who was sitting about 20 feet away, watching her, and yelled to her, “She is sooo stinking adorable! To be that free is the most beautiful thing.”
God said to me, “Sandy, the only thing that stops any of you from “dancing” like that is your fear…and it is only in your mind. Dance like nobody’s watching.”
I silently affirmed, “I promise.” All my life I’ve wanted to be a dancer, but being chubby as a child fueled my fear of what others would say. For me now, my “dance” is being a messenger for the world. It’s my intention, my dream, my desire to touch the world with my written and spoken word. What is your “dance”? Are you willing to go for it? Let’s do it together…without fear.
I continued to walk back to my starting point, silently praying from my heart, “Thank you so much, God, for the blessings of these last 30 minutes…I love you. You really are always with us, aren’t you?” I took a deep breath, looked down, and noticed God’s response...a little gift that was right in front of my lil toes…
Sometimes the best gifts come in no packages. May you notice them in your day today.
With love,
Sandy
