What I see when I first set foot on the beach

I’m spending time this summer with my family in my most favourite place on this earth, the island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas. There’s something magical about this place. Something deep within me is stirred every time I set foot on the beach and see that vast Atlantic ocean. This is sacred time; a time of being present in the moment and noticing – noticing the beauty that surrounds me, from the pristine, natural beauty around me in the physical space to the beauty of watching my children delight in it. I wish that everyone could find that place that speaks to the core of who they are. A place where your body responds in a way that has you fully at ease and knows it’s home here; a place where your heart responds with emotion of sacred connection to this beautiful earth and vast sky; a place where your mind has the clarity to dream of what’s possible, to imagine and to bring the vision into the present. This is the place for that. It’s not the only place and it’s my place.

It’s sacred.

Authenticity. What does that mean? It’s a word near and dear to me over the past several years as I’ve been more conscious of who I am and living my life as an outer expression of my inner self. For me, my heart speaks volumes and when I allow myself to speak from that place I experience the truth of my authenticity. Sure, it feels really vulnerable – it’s courageous to live a life of authenticity. And there’s a delicious richness to it that makes it worth the risk. “…when we let go of what we are supposed to be and embrace who we are.”(Brené Brown)

Brené Brown is a researcher, writer, and professor. She has spent the past ten years studying a concept that she calls Wholeheartedness, looking at: “How do we engage in our lives from a place of authenticity, spirit, and worthiness? How do we cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection that we need to embrace our imperfections and to recognize that we are enough – that we are worthy of love, belonging and joy?”. Much of her work has been centred around what she refers to as “the universal experience” of shame and how it keeps us disconnected. I get it. Within each of us is some element of shame, that has us feel different, not good enough, and ultimately holds us separate and disconnected from others.

My daughter has a book about a hamster named Lola who is seeking the right moment to share her “special words”. Towards the end of the book she is about to burst, as she has held back many times because the timing wasn’t quite right. Finally she spills at the end of the book saying “I love you, I love you, I love you” to her mom and dad and nods off contentedly to sleep knowing the words are always there on the tip of her tongue, waiting to be shared. Sweet little hamster.

The words are always there, if we stop long enough to listen and to speak them. What words are on the tip of your tongue? Are you ready to burst?

My daughter Annie greeted me with this card this morning. Need I say more? I am truly blessed to be Mom to both my son and my daughter.

Enjoy this day, nurturers and caretakers of the world!