Cloudy Day; No Cloudy Thoughts

I went to sleep last night to the cadence of a gentle rain falling steadily.  I was so very grateful to be tucked in safe and sound in my little sanctuary, called home.  Sleep was dreamless but I awoke feeling as if I hadn’t slept at all…outside the rain was still gently falling so I went back to sleep realizing it was Saturday and I had nowhere to be.  I woke up an hour later and the rain was still falling.  I love rainy days.  They give me an excuse to stay indoors and rest and after a busy hectic week, staying indoors, resting and relaxing is just what I need.  Over coffee, I jotted down all my “to-dos” on little note cards and filed them so I could give myself permission to rest.  All was well, peaceful and then the wind chimes outside…hauntingly beautiful tune playing in the breeze in between the sound of the rain drops.  Ahhhh, peace.

 Not wanting to be a hermit all day, I took a drive by the beach.  My favorite route was blocked for some reason but I would not be deterred today.  I found an alternate route and took it casually.  At long last, the ocean came into full and amazing view.  The storm had cleared a little bit and all I could see were glistening tides, undulating swells, diamonds dancing across the tops of the waves, gray skies interspersed with sparkling sunshine.  I pulled into the lot that runs right along Pacific Coast Highway just as someone else was pulling out.  They  even left me 12 minutes on the meter.  Perfect!  I grabbed my camera and keys, took one more sip of my Starbuck’s decaf grande mocha with whip and stepped out of my girly truck.  Instantly the breeze hit me and it was refreshing to say the least.  I walked from the parking lot, crossed the bike path and oh goodness what a beautiful view.  I stood there motionless for a good 5 minutes.  The ocean is so beautiful when it’s stormy.  I snapped a few pictures to remember this amazing view and then just stood there catching wispy shafts of glorious sunlight.  I closed my eyes and just listened to the powerful crashing of the waves on the shore, flapping wings, gull’s calling and people talking softly.  It was a powerful and healing moment standing there silent listening to a world of amazing sounds.  They were almost as amazing as the view.

When the world is spinning way too fast, it’s times like these I’m incredibly grateful to be who I am and where I am.  Nothing replenishes my spirit like a trip to the local coast to momentarily become lost in glorious scenery. 

 It’s so important to find ways to take mini time outs from your life to replenish your soul, refill your spirit and feel the beauty of nature.  It restores balance to your thoughts, to your physical being and definitely to your emotions.  If the coast doesn’t do it for you, find somewhere or something that does and make time for yourself to go and do and most importantly, enjoy.

 May you be blessed with peace, appreciation and rest this day.