The New Year for 2010 in Cave Junction, Oregon was ushered in with the constant drumming of dark rain that morphed into an oppressive fog. After too many days of these doldrums, I decided to recharge my psychological batteries by driving to the coast. Crescent City, California is only about an hours drive down Highway 199 from our home.
I soon found relief at my favorite roadside observation spot. The sun was out, beaming seductive warmth through wisps of paint-brush clouds, which refracted light into candy cane pastel colors over the ocean horizon. The surf pleasantly droned moderate white-cap waves that were speckled with black-suited surfers waiting to a catch a few free rides.
Splotches of white and grey sea gulls waddled on the dark sandy beach. Three young women strolled bare footed through the lapping sea foam water; apparently they were drawing names in the sand with their toes.
Several couples were jogging with their dogs around the natural driftwood obstacle course. I smiled as I recognized the honking sounds of sea lions coming from the harbor nearby.
Directly in front of my vantage point, (past the peaceful stretch of the greenish-gray ocean waters and almost endless beach) loomed a verdant mountain peninsula shaped as a crescent. I breathed in these luscious images, smelling the fresh salt air, and I just let my spirit soar.
In quiet contemplation, I searched the undulating ocean horizon for signs of migrating whales. Although my quest was unsuccessful, I did notice a man and woman several yards down on the beach preparing to launch their kayaks.
They carefully put on their black and yellow wet suits, with white helmets, and red life preserver vests. Gracefully they launched the sleek, shark-pointed kayaks into the beckoning surf. Easy to imagine them shape-changing and transforming into baby whales playing gymnastic games in Nature’s water world amusement park.
I sense it is time to surrender to the powerful urge to comb the beach at the waters’ edge. Being so close to the roar and rhythm of the sea, feels exquisitely mesmerizing and hypnotic. Occasionally, I pause to more closely investigate sea treasures that wash up on the shore: crab shells, bird feathers, interesting stones I might collect for my rock garden back home.
Further down the beach in a more secluded area, several people are actually riding horses. A man and woman are shouting praise and encouragement to a young girl with long, flowing black hair. She is riding with grace and elegance a beautiful roan horse through figure eight maneuvers.
The blend of these movements, with the sounds and smells of ocean spray, instantly restores my sense of balance between mind, body, and spirit. Circling around for a return trip to my original vantage point, I spot a huge driftwood log. I take a moment to sit on the log and rest my eyes. Slowly, mentally and emotionally, I replay the balmy energy and splendor of life that I experienced today.
Perhaps you will also find a way to center yourself in this place of music, joy, and Light on a driftwood log by the sea.
(For more information about The Eby Way, please go here:
http://www.ipodiums.com/qlcoach )