home is just a feeling, part one
an adventure to a land with an ocean
A couple of weeks ago, an adventure to a land with an ocean took place, and this was the air to breathe during those moments in time. Someday, these moments won’t be so brief. Someday, the ocean will be a short drive (or walk) away and the feelings that follow will be felt more often.
Going to the ocean is like to going home, and going home coincides with family. In the normal sense of family, these people may not be there at the ocean, but the comfort of family is immersed within the land — the comfort that a good family is likely to send forth and alleviate any sorrow one may carry. As soon as the shoes are off and the car is left behind, the ocean air is inhaled and the warm sand is beneath the feet, the sound of waves crashing is heard and the infinite view of water is beheld, this familiar bond is initiated — the bond between human and nature. The bond that creates a discerning feeling of home and family. Each element that make up these lovely oh-too-few moments at the ocean is vital in embarking on this journey home. Each is a necessity for the soul to strive and yet be still.
The ocean air gives new life to the lungs and rids the mind of problems for these brief moments in time. Conundrums feel solved. Doubt feels superficial. Answers feel cut and dry. Riddles to life dissolve in this air, and this, this is the feeling of home to which I speak. The feeling of being at ease with oneself, the feeling of simplicity that life can be, the feeling of a gracious welcoming to this purity of nature. And at this home away from home, a good family inhabits the land. On the surface, there is no chaos. There is no drama. There is no misunderstanding. There is only calm. There is only play. There is only an auspicious feeling here.
The sand along the shoreline is a bed. A bed to lay down all discomfort and lessen the constraints and obligations in life for these brief moments in time. A bed for leisurely activities, such as reading and writing and siestas — my wife and I enjoy a good game of battleship while imbibing our drink of choice on this bed. A bed for playing volleyball and building castles. A bed for the imagination. This bed becomes the coziest of beds, not because it is soft and spacious and good for the back, but because it conforms to the body and can be molded for a specific comfort, a comfort for each individual need. And it is free, usually. No need for a tempur-pedic at the low low price of thousands.
The sight of the ocean repairs the eyes. The eyes become strained from demanding pressures in life, strained from watching too much tv and staring too intently at the phone, and strained from too much effort and concentration on trivial matter. The sight of the ocean is a sight of quiet and rest and harmony. The chilled soft air repairs the aches in the eyes, leaving them replenished and feeling like a new pair with no broken vessels yet. A fresh beginning to stare at resplendent nature with ease.
The sound of the ocean waves crashing against itself and the shore is salubrious. It is one of the preferred white-noises with a frequency set for serenity and captures the essence of time, for it now stands still in the moment. Hours pass as they feel like minutes. The unseen others mosey by, disturbing nothing because they are all there for the same reason. They are all home, surrounded by their own good family. They are all looking for nothing in particular and yet have found everything they came for. They have found a place to breathe during these moments in time.
And after the bond with this land and with an ocean is fulfilled (if it ever adequately is from such brief trips. I feel like I cannot get close enough at times to savor and satisfy that itch after the ocean view has left my sight), if human discourse is needed, all you have to do is drive back down the quaint little off-the-beaten-path that brought you there and familiar faces will be at the closest cafe or pizza parlor, awaiting another good home.
Thank you so much for reading. Going to the forest is also comparable to going home for me and that will more than likely be part two next week. This might end up being a three part deal, so be sure to subscribe so you won’t miss them… I mean, if you want… you know what to do with your own life. I was just thinking about convenience because they would be delivered straight to your inbox. But no pressure. Venture to a land with an ocean and have a nice rest of your day.