A “Reset” at Sea Level…

I’m in California this week, at the La Jolla Shores Beach.  Although my life is not particularly stressful or hectic anymore, sometimes it takes a walk on the beach to clear my head and wake (shake) me up.  Meditating has never come easy for me (I lack the discipline required!) but breathing in the fresh clean ocean air, watching the tide roll in and out, and feeling the sun on my skin puts me in another zone while I’m mindlessly meandering along the shoreline.

We are all aware of the health benefits of being at the beach.  Sunshine, along with the increased levels of serotonin, has been scientifically proven to make us happier and the reservoir of vitamin D has endless benefits for our wellness.  Just being at the beach motivates us to get moving and exercising more which in turn improves our mental and physical health.

As I am out and about I see how healthy and happy most of the people here actually are.  It’s an interesting demographic in La Jolla Village.  I see lots of young people (30 and under) working in the kayak shops and restaurants, hardly any representation of the Generation X age group (unless they are tourists) and many older retired people.  This Baby Boomer group amazes me.  Yes, there is a lot of money in this area, making it easier to look good, but for the most part, these seniors look amazing.  It’s very entertaining just watching them roll up in their luxury cars, jump out to get their specialty coffees and then roar off down the street looking like they have somewhere important to go!  I always wonder to myself, “do the residents of La Jolla know how lucky they are?”

 This is the view I have as I’m writing this post.  It’s quiet at the hotel now, just before the American Thanksgiving weekend, and being midweek the beach is almost deserted with the exception of a few locals who are out walking their dogs (perfectly coiffed) and,  of course, the surfers who are trying to catch a few waves before their workday or school day starts. Not much else is going on. Even in town the restaurants and shops seem quiet.  Without the usual distractions,  I’m able to get out of my nine dots…that square box that I’m trapped in with my usual hangups…

While I’m walking on the beach, uncluttering my mind, my thoughts usually go to gratitude first (that I am able to appreciate such beauty).  I’m also grateful that this part of California is not being ravaged by fire. My mind then drifts to some creative endeavour usually involving my home or garden.  Images (in my mind) become clearer and the possibilities are endless.

The photos above are of a beach cottage? that I’ve always admired.  It’s just across the road from the ocean.  (What always astounds me is that no one ever seems to be in residence…I can’t imagine having this home and never being there!)  I visualize how I would decorate it (if it were mine) and how I would love to be puttering around the patio tending to the heavenly scented roses and other tropical plants.  I’m always trying to think of ways to incorporate some beach decor into my home which would be compatible with the traditional style it is now…

This is the sunset view I’ve had every evening, and like all of the other tourists here, I hold my breath for those few minutes before the sun falls below the horizon…that never gets old!

It’s magical being at the beach.  Like a wave of a wand, you can become unplugged from all your electronics (and all that other mumbo jumbo in your head) and press the “reset” button and start anew…

 xox Judy