The Power of Speech
The beach was a blast
Time went by so fast
Getting lost in rays
for fortified days.
Aside from reading, lounging, noshing and snoozing, I got to do paddle boarding again this year. I first tried it a couple years ago in Hawaii and fell in love with the activity. It’s a killer workout that takes place amid exploring new waters.
As the waves flowed in, so did the thoughts. A unique in sync rhythm. Crashing and cadence.
The nervous energy forced me to stay in the present. It wasn’t the fear of falling, it was the discomfort of the unexpected. Sharks, jelly fish, nibbling fish. The uncertainty drove my traps, biceps, triceps, abs, and leg muscles to work.
And of course, I couldn’t help but play a little too.
The challenge is the pinnacle.
An athlete by nature, I’m inspired by the quest alone. They say it’s best to compete with yourself, but a little friendly competition with others can only add to the beneficial fire.
Hand stand contests all week.
And guess who lost?
Me, over and over and over.
Okay, I didn’t really lose, but Isaac was the first place victor every time. Perhaps his summer-long biking trip from Austin to Anchorage makes him a stronger athlete than me. 🙂
Extra points for pointed toes? 😉
I will say that I improved like crazy in one week because I was motivated.
It’s a blessing and a curse being hyper competitive with the self. Always comparing to the best. It’s liable to make you improve in craft while instigating a flow of not-so-comfortable feelings.
Anxiety happens so the key is distraction. Dive into something where the high of success will conquer the anxiety.
Exhaust. Live.
Awareness is key.
“Come gather ’round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You’ll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you
Is worth savin’
Then you better start swimmin’
Or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’.”
No need to perspire the small things, although that’s always easier said than done.
Saying it is the first step.
Let the good times and changes roll.
There are so many ventures out there waiting to be had. Sometimes, soaking it all in is the most exciting venture of them all. #porchChillen
“Just the sun and the sand and a drink in my hand life is good today.”
Summertime salud!
Relaxing vibes ensue.
Our last night we decided to put some clothes and shoes on and head to dinner at the Gulf Stream Cafe (an annual ritual for the past, oh 15+ years).
The presence of endearing company beats everything.
Piquant flavors of the sea serve as icing on the little prim cakes.
So much love.
My mom and I ordered the special of tuna, rare and blackened.
Piquant flavors of the sea serve as icing on the little prim cakes.
A daughter is just a little girl who grows up to be your best friend. The love between a mother and a daughter is forever.
“I’ve wondered why it took us so long to catch on. We saw it and yet we didn’t see it. Or rather we were trained not to see it. Conned, perhaps, into thinking that the real action was metropolitan and all this was just boring hinterland. It was a puzzling thing. The truth knocks on the door and you say, “Go away, I’m looking for the truth,” and so it goes away. Puzzling.”
-Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (my beach read)
A sparkling end to an awesome week. Sweet fireworks.
Today I’m home in Richmond before heading off to my next trip. My friend Sara and I are at our travel adventures again. This time, I’m driving up to DC for a night, then we fly into NYC for a couple days before embarking on our Birthright trip to Israel for 10 days! I’ll be traveling without my laptop (scary!) for a couple weeks, so keep in touch with me through my Facebook and Instagram pages!
Believe in the moments and I’ll catch up with ya’ upon my return!
