Grateful for a Walk on the Beach

Day 3: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

I am so very thankful to live near the coast and have the opportunity to walk barefoot in the sand during much of the year. I love walks on and near the shore. There is such a sense of peace in being there.

A walk on the beach is like going on a mini vacation. It feels as if the "to do" list has been left behind, along with any stress, concerns, and busy thoughts. Spending time at the shore must be one of the greatest tools for stress management. It's almost immediately refreshing.

For many of us, a seaside excursion can have a powerful impact on the way we feel; a sense of peace, an inner healing, and/or an experience of greater energy (as if a switch has been turned on). Why do we as humans feel such a strong connection to the ocean? Here are some thoughts I have on the subject:

• First of all, the ocean is so vast and much bigger than anything in our lives. When standing at the shore, it is impossible to truly see it in its entirety. We become a bit smaller in our minds and the ocean becomes awe inspiring.
• It is a multi-sensory experience with the sound of the waves, the smell of the sea air, the 360 degree visuals, the feel of the sand enveloping our feet with every step, and at times you can almost taste the salt in the spray of the mist in the air. This total process of immersion seems to transport you to another dimension, outside of your daily routine.
• As humans we live on land yet when we are born we are 78% water. So, do we feel at home by the shore? Is it like returning to our roots? 
• Or is our presence in the vicinity of the moving ocean a reminder of the movement of amniotic fluid that surrounded us before birth?

What would you add to this list?

Whatever the reasons for being so attracted to the ocean, I feel very thankful to have grown up on the East Coast of the U.S., not far from wide expansive beaches. And now I am thankful to live in California, on the West Coast, very close to a magnificent coastline. I never tire of strolls by the shore, walks on the beach, and any chance to view the crashing waves.