Ebb and Flow

Much like the number of visitors that come to my page (whether actually real or not), life consists a component of ebb and flow.  Good times come in as the bad times go out to sea and vise-versa as well.  Newton's law comes to mind in that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.  So what does this mean for our lives and how does it impact?

When was the last time you were at the beach?  We are coming into the summer months and I am certain this is something favorable on your minds to do this time of year.  When you get to the beach, whenever that is, I want you to do something for me.  Go to the beach at dawn.  Yes, I know it's your vacation.  Yes, I realize you may have spent all year getting up after dawn to go to work but trust me...

At dawn, very few people are out to spoil the sights.  The sounds of the waves crashing echo singularly in your ears as the seagulls begin to stir.  You may see fishing boats or even dolphins in that time.  And to see the first light of day kiss the horizon and stretch to the white peaks of the waves is such a calming thing to witness.  Also, watch the ebb and flow of the waves.

Tides are brought in by the moon, controlled by the moon.  No matter where the tide is, however, ebb and flow is always constant.  The same comparison can be drawn to life.  No matter where your life is, no matter what stage, financial state or way you measure your life, the ebb and flow is constant.  With that comes balance.  With balance ultimately comes peace.  Peace that can be found in a sunrise.  Peace can may be lost when the next wave comes in but can easily be restored.

I struggled for peace internally sometimes.  I fear I worry too much, stress too much.  I have no control over where Life takes me sometimes and when I do have control, it is limited to how much I can influence.  But...I am learning I have control in how to respond to these changes.  Truth is, I can worry, fret, stress, cry and boo hoo until the cows come home!  However, when my tears dry and my fit ceases, Life and its challenges are still there.

We can try to ignore them or we can cope and face them.  We can try to run from it or we can embrace it.  Life is like a poker game where someone has gone all-in and you have two choices: to fold or to match the bet.  When Life hands you another challenge, will you go all-in and face it full force?  Or will you fold and let Life take you where it wills, as a piece of driftwood on the ocean.

Whenever I was last at the beach, several years ago, I was able to see the sun rise.  It took my breath away and, for even just a moment, I felt as though everything would be OK.  I knew the sun would eventually set on a bad time in Life and rise on a good time.  Well, World, the good time is here but that doesn't mean I shouldn't be prepared.  Embrace Life, all it gives you and its challenges.  It is that from which we draw our experiences and it is that from which we become who we are.

Passing Spring with Love Notes

I love a good, foggy morning!

Oh why does the weather torment me so?  Mother Nature, I need you to get on some hormones or something.  Your hot flashes and night sweats are simultaneously making me burn and freeze all the time!  I don't know how to dress, coat or no coat...please...go to Father Time's doctor's office and have him look over you.

I am so ready for spring to be here.  And I mean spring!  Not this Southern excuse-for-spring weather.  The weather where in the morning, it may be about 45 F and by mid-afternoon, a cool 65 F.  Where the fog lays heavy on the Earth and all seems still and pristine.  The dew collects on the petals of flowers and the world exhales slowly.  That is Spring.  When you feel as though the world could not get any more perfected.

Well, of course, my parents perfected it more by having moi!  Yes, there is much to look forward to during this time.  This is my favorite time to go for walks and enjoy nature, as is Fall.  The flowers are blooming, the birds are always singing, the world seems brighter.  It is the time of my birthday, which I love not because of the day but because of the time of year.  It is also the time of Love, new and old, rekindled and sparked.

My favorite thing about Love?  The romance.  The way someone can light up your world by the simplest of gestures.  To the same extent, someone is able to build up your hopes and dash them against a rock.  My favorite thing about my relationship with my fiancé?  The Love Notes.

Yes, we do the sappy, leave-each-other-notes thing.  Strange thing is, I love penning each letter as much as a enjoy receiving it.  If my fiancé elected to base my entire romance on the idea of writing me post-its or letters or cards, I would be happy.  It would be unlike the expression of Love I have ever experienced.  Afterall, what is writing but a forgotten art?

My fiancé has many times marvelled at how I can write this blog, while simultaneously asking if I have said any horrible things about him.  He knows the address, he can read it.  More importantly, I initially started this to help us communicate better.  A lot of the time, I find myself incapable of articulating how I may be feeling or what I may be thinking at a point in time.  In order to better express myself to him, as well as to relieve the stress of worry and contemplation I carry, I thought this would be a good way to nip it in the bud.  This is, therefore, an art form.

I remember being young and after receiving gifts, it was impressed upon myself and my two younger sisters to write thank you notes diligently to those who sent us presents.  I use to hate doing it, finding it bothersome and annoying, a waste of play time.  At the beginning of my engagement, however, I found myself consciously thinking about writing thank you notes.  I wish I got thank you notes.  Mind you, two of those notes are still awaiting addresses, but they are written!

When I was in about middle school, I remember fondly passing notes between classes with my friends.  Oh, how I loved getting a note!  I felt as though I was in a secret society.  This is why writing is so cherished, so loved by people like me.  This is why I adore my fiancé's Love Notes.  Every time I find one waiting for me, it is like a treasure on a piece of paper.  It is one of those things that is hard to let go, as I have no idea when I might get the next one.  I feel as a child on Christmas, waiting for Santa to bring her toys.  When all I really want...is a note from the man I love.

When was the last time you wrote words of endearment to a loved one?  Do you try to do it often?  Perhaps you should take some time and jot a note to your significant other about how much they mean to you.  I fear in this fast-paced world, we sometimes think those around us automatically know we appreciate them.  I know I want that to be acknowledged sometimes though as well.  It isn't enough to know you love me.  Tell me you love me.  Show me you love me.  Tell me your appreciate me.  Show me what I do is appreciated.

I firmly believe that we are all like children.  We want the approval of those around us.  We may be thinking we are OK to not audibly hear the approval, but deep down, the reassurance does wonders for us and makes us want to continue the praised behavior.  So write a Love Note, tell your loved one you appreciate them or simply go behind them, wrap them in your arms and tell them you don't ever want to let go.

Afterall...what is Life without a little Love?

Couple's Loving Embrace