The Calming Effect of Coastal Beauty

The girls in awe of ocean waves crashing

The multi-sensory experience you get when visiting the beach is without comparison.  The experience is like a lavish balm to the soul.  The sounds of the bellowing waves crashing, the smell of misty ocean sea foam, the taste of the salty ocean water, the sights of the vast expanse beyond the sea, the feeling of sand between the toes. All of our senses are engaged in such a profound way. It makes going to the beach so enjoyable. The joy of this multi-sensory experience was the perfect ending to our short coastal vacation. 

However, the vacay was not without a little drama beforehand or even after we left. It was a very challenging day in some respects. I experienced at least 3 moments where I was emotionally upset about one thing or another. These were hard moments to to overcome.  But all in all, the day was sweet and I kept pushing. Once we arrived at the beach, the beauty I beheld reduced the irritating feelings that had risen within me. Here were some other things I did to try to stay at peace. 

Tactics to Keep Your Cool

• Breath slowly
• Pray for wisdom silently
• Say encouraging words to yourself
• Sing melodic songs
• Harmonize with songs
• Try doing something enjoyable or productive
• Write out and name your feelings
  
• Trust that the feelings will pass and all will be well
• Focusing on nature or something of beauty and awe
  
• Find a lesson in it
  

Hard to stay upset long with this handsome little guy around

I'm so blessed that after all these years of being such a sensitive and feeling oriented person, I've been able to somewhat master the ability to shift moods and find meaning in the mess. Every challenge that comes can be seen as a gift. I have oneness with Jesus in my suffering, because he has suffered too. My little one has the gift of feelings as well. Together we learn from each other.

 

Besides the emotional upheavals, which I was thankfully able to recover from, there were countless small blessings. Here are just a few of them from the day and from our trip.

Blessings…

• Talking with the David's friends from the wedding he officiated
• David recounting the adventures of the wedding weekend
• Delicious mushroom, spinach, onion, cheese buckwheat crepe from Brittany's crepes 
• Bubble guns for the kids
• Pleasant pool time with such a varied crowd (families, singles, newlyweds...)
  
• Long-haired, brown-skinned hostess at Jacks restaurant
• Charlie and the Chocolate factory candy store at the wharf
• The vendor"George's birds" and his gruff way with kids 
• The happy street performer that stopped in the middle of his song to say we are a "beautiful family"
• Girls getting out of pool when it was time to go with no fussing
• Old school Amy Grant songs got us going each morning
  

These and many more blessings were ours during the trip. I look forward to more times like this.  I have the memories etched in my mind. I am beyond blessed. I am grateful.

 

 

 

Of Oceans, Lands, and Seas

Our first evening out by the wharf

There's nothing like the refreshing feeling of going on a simple getaway. Our little family likes to get away to the coast. The girls just love telling people "We're going to the coast", like its some magical faraway land were all things are well. 

Visiting the coast with my family is such a wonderful treat...when things go well. The problem is that sometimes vacations can be such a hassle and they end up not being very refreshing at all. However, this simple getaway we've been on has been more than wonderful. I can think of a few reasons why: 

• We've built up the excitement for a whole month by counting down the days
• We did some pre-planning in regard to the specific activities we were going to do 
• We had a basic mental and digital itinerary both in my head and on my phone
• I have not sweated the small stuff, we are not worrying about money, mishaps, miscalculations or mistakes of any kind. We are just rolling with the punches as they come.  
• The girls packed by themselves weeks before the trip
• I prayed very specific things that I wanted to see and I've been watching my prayers being answered right before me
• We are intentional about making every aspect an adventure and enjoyable. Every meal, walk on the wharf, new show watched, miscalculation of where the car garage is, every little thing that happens is viewed in the eyes of adventure, enjoyment, and humor

A large part of why things seem to be going so well is that the hubby and I are simply not stressing about minor things. We are here to enjoy each other and desire for things to be light and pleasant. I hope that we can learn some lessons from this trip and be intentional with making sure our other ones have the same relaxing vibe. Family time ought to be fun and free. I'm very thankful that "fun and free" is a reality for us right now. We are blessed. 

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  A little exploration on top of a lookout point