The view here is splendid. The weather has been dark and stormy. I sat at the window much of the day, watching the tides turn and the waves crashing to the shore and breaking over the broad beaches. Beautiful.
[No AI is used in writing or editing this blog. This is human content for human readers.]
A younger version of me might have been vexed at the lack of productive creative work. This version of me is grateful to have a moment to slow down that can’t be argued with. Shortly after I arrived, the hotel WiFi went down. That didn’t impair the view at all. I had everything I needed, and could have been painting, reading, or writing. Most of the time I spent gazing at sky and sea, and taking note of the various hues and shades of gray. I watched clouds scoot past on strong winds, and clouds of mist forming haloes around and over the crests of the biggest waves. I watched gulls drift by on the air.
I sat quietly, later into the evening than I ordinarily might, watching afternoon become evening, and evening become night. Eventually, I went to bed, still listening to the sound of the sea and the fierce winds beyond this cozy room.
… Did I get what I needed out of this trip? I think so, yes. Time spent on self-reflection and self-care is not wasted time. I sit by the window with my morning coffee and watch the waves breaking on the beach, a silvery gray-green edged in luminous foamy white. I have a little longer to linger.
I breathe, exhale, and relax. Massive bright white clouds ease themselves past my window, bits of storm clinging around the edges, darkly. I savor this feeling of peace, contentment, and sufficiency. This too is temporary. Impermanent. I sit with my thoughts awhile longer.
(I think the point I am making is that we don’t need to be productive every waking minute of every day. There is more to being human than working. Slow down. Breathe. Enjoy a leisure moment without a plan.)
…I am looking forward to being home again, and miss my beloved…
I sigh contentedly. I’ll begin again after I finish my coffee.
