06/22/2026
One thing I try to do each day is incorporate mindfulness into my life. Sometimes that looks like spending time with my animals, walking a trail, sitting beneath a tree, or simply slowing down long enough to notice the world around me. Today, mindfulness brought me to the shore.
I stopped to walk along the rocky & empty shell filled shore watching the gentle waves slowly roll in and out. I wandered along the red sand, crunching over rocks and scattered shells that each foot sure felt, taking in the simple beauty that surrounded me. The birds were singing their songs, a crow stopped by for a visit, and I stood watching minnows swimming close to the shoreline.
As I watched them dart through the shallow water, I was reminded of my childhood. I spent many summers on the shore with my parents while they fished. I remember bringing buckets, shovels and a net to explore while my parents searched for oysters and Quahogs on their lease. There was something special about those days…salty air, warm sand beneath my feet, and endless hours spent exploring the coastline. Back then, I didn’t realize those moments were becoming some of my most treasured memories.
Thinking back on those days leaves me feeling incredibly grateful. Grateful that I was raised to appreciate nature, to find joy in simple things, and to spend my days surrounded by family. Some of my most cherished memories include my Aunt Cathy being there too. She would reach into her lunch can, pull out a package of Miami Cakes, carefully unwrap it, and pass one to me and one for herself.
It’s funny how the smallest moments stay with us.
If you’ve spent time on the shore, you know there’s just something about the salty air. It makes everything taste better, makes you a little hungrier, a little thirstier, and somehow slows life down just enough to notice what really matters.
Today, standing on the shore and watching the minnows swim by, I realized those childhood days helped shape who I am. They taught me to slow down, to explore, to appreciate nature, and to find happiness in the simple moments.
Maybe that’s why I still find myself drawn back to the water.
Mindfulness doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s simply being present enough to watch the waves, listen to the birds sing, notice a crow stopping by, or smile as minnows swim along the shore.
Nature has a way of bringing us home to ourselves. It asks nothing of us except that we slow down long enough to notice the waves, the birds, the minnows, the breeze, and the memories carried along with them.
☀️ Enjoy the sunshine today Friends, and if you can… take a step outside. What do you notice?
🌳 Can you guess which shore I went to?
