Sometimes we need to step away from a situation, person or place, in order to gain perspective, a fresh point of view or to see how things really are.
I took that step just this past week taking my daughters (for our "Wednesday Night Girls' Night") to Topanga State Beach to watch the sun set. Momma's been working a wee bit much and as much as I love my work, I needed to see, hear, feel, touch and smell something different than the 3 walls inside my home office. I needed a different perspective.
It was fabulous spending undivided time with my girls, driving down Sunset Boulevard on to Pacific Coast Highway. I felt like I was coming home. Having lived at the beach my entire life until '95 when I got married and moved far, far away from the beach, it remains my solace, my special place to clear my thoughts, to fill my soul and to refresh my perspective.
I so appreciated the simplicity of spreading out our three towels, taking off our shoes, and sitting in the sand, walking, talking, laughing & playing with each other . . . there was sand, saltwater, surfers and oh my! We even had dolphin and sea lions pay us a visit. Simple gifts that I love, oh so much.
I hear it's call for me to return, not just to play, but to stay. Perhaps someday we will. Until then, I look, I see, and I appreciate what is in front of me right at this moment . . .the three walls of my small, yet to be decorated home office, but I have the privilege to work from home, I (and my family) have a home, my husband and I have work, we have our health, I hear the sounds of my daughter practicing her flute as I write, while I hear my other daughter on Skype with a friend - and so many more things to be grateful for.
Among them, Momma squirrel, who works so diligently (all day long) building her nest. I regularly leave little treats for her to find along her travels . . .apple, peanuts, sometimes an orange wedge. I was finally able to capture a pic of her enjoying what she found - again, simple gifts.
It's an interesting thing, perspective - how we see, what we see. How about you - do you sometimes feel like you need a shift in perspective? I received this post from Tara Reed
and when you play the recording it brings an all together different meaning when you hear it (read it) backwards. It just depends on your perspective . . .
Wishing you a joyfully clear day
You now what they say; if you don't stop and look at your life once in a while you might miss it completely. I wish my daughter were home from college right now - we'd head straight for the beach. Unfortunately it's 5 hours away! Lovely post as always.
Posted by: Jackie Von Tobel | April 13, 2010 at 09:06 AM