2014-3-17 Dan

 

What is it about water that makes so many people comfortable?  I did not grow-up near the ocean, so why am I so compelled whenever I am near big water to actually go see it?  If I see the water I invariably want to go touch it.  Have it flow over my feet and have my toes sink into the wet sand.  I know that I am not alone in these feelings.  They seem to be a collective memory, something infused in many peoples beings. 

When I was out for this sunrise on my last morning in St. Augustine, during a much-needed break from the hard winter, I shared the experience of the sunrise with a number of people.  We all came out to the beach at about the same time, for the same purpose.  Sometimes it feels that life can be very complicated and confusing.  I need to remember that I am the one making it more or less this way.  I never want to lose sight of the truly important things and people in our lives; with what we all instinctively know as moments to be cherished.

2014-3-8 Dan

2014-3-8 Dan

 I have heard the idea of living in the moment for many years.  I understand the concept.    But to understand a concept and to implement one are two different things.  I have lived the vast majority of my adult life coveting the goal just over the horizon.  The famous line is “if I can just…”, or “once I get ….”.  The reality is if I realize the goal, or I don’t, it doesn’t change who I am.

I was walking on the beach when out of the corner of my eye I saw this guy running into the surf.  At first he just plopped down and sat in the water while the waves flowed over him.  Then he found a stick and was exhilarated with the find.  The photo you see is where he is playfully running back to his owner.

It is okay to have goals in my life, but I need to remember to enjoy my life while I am pursuing my goals. The gift of dogs is how they are tied to the moment-to-moment existence.  I need to learn to enjoy the sticks I find along the path of my life.