To Beach Their Own

It can’t always be white sand and sunshine. Sometimes it’s grey skies and a little bit ‘meh’.

I get it. We’re all sick of winter. And this is coming from someone who missed 2 months of it because I was …. well, enjoying white sand and sunshine.

It’s drab, it’s dreary, and it’s still cold enough that the gloves and toques aren’t quite a “that’s so last winter” thing.

You’ve probably seen that Corona commercial - sound of waves lapping on shore, an ice cold Corona on a table, someone swinging in a hammock. Perfect. Then the tag line comes up - “find your beach”. Okay - how do I get there?

Don’t get me wrong - I would ABSOLUTELY rather be on a beach instead of in a country where the cold freezes my nose closed.

Something struck me as I was out on my walk today. Maybe our “beach” isn’t a place after all.

Maybe our beach is a feeling:

A feeling of peace.
Of family.
Of those small, ordinary joys that quietly remind you that life is good.

It’s where you are, wherever you are.

At the time I am writing this (late March) we’re in Fergus and yes, the temperatures aren’t exactly what I would call balmy. But we’re home.

Keith is reunited with his kitties and his kids.

That’s a beach.

I’m a 40 minute drive from a dinner with my daughter and I can FaceTime my son.

That’s a beach.

We celebrated Keith’s Dad’s 88th birthday this past weekend.

That’s also a beach.

They are the moments and memories that keep us warm.

You can’t spell BEACH without EACH and that’s the key. Each of us will find our beach in different places and for different reasons.

The important thing is that we keep noticing them.

Those little moments that remind us we’re exactly where we’re supposed to be.

My challenge for you is to find your own beach everyday. Write a few short lines to describe it so you’ll never forget the feeling.

Until next time, may a small wave of inspiration find you.