I felt like seeing the ocean today. Even though the beaches are closed, Schwinn and I were on a mission to find a shady place to sit where I could see and hear the waves breaking on the sand. I rode by the spot where two days ago I was admiring the sea grape leaves and noticed there was a post with a number at the entrance – 58 – which I hadn’t noticed last time. As I continued to ride, I saw the numbers decreasing for every post marking an entrance down to the beach.
56, 55, 54.
I decided to ride to 44 because that’s my sacred number. It came to me in a mystical dream when I first moved to Peru in 2000. I was assessing each entrance as I pedaled by, for a good ocean view and a shadey bench where I could sit and write. I observed the entrances in the 40s looked a bit more posh than the 50s, corresponding with the posh condo estates across the street.
Regretfully, 44 had neither sea view nor bench so I turned around, heading back to 58. Now on the beach side of the road, I had a closer view of each entrance. The rest of the 40s had some nice views but no where to sit or vice versa. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a spot between 55 and 56 – not an entrance and not roped off. There was a soft circle of sand under the sea grape trees, with a perfect view of the Atlantic!
My soul sister Thozi from South Africa shared this morning in our women’s circle call, how she goes outside to lay on the ground each morning connecting with Pachamama to give thanks for the sustenance mother earth gives us. Following her lead, I put my manta on the ground and sat on this little patch of beach giving thanks for a gift I might otherwise have missed in pursuit of a shady bench.
Here before me today are all four elements, enveloping me in their love, offering me nurishment. The earth upon which I sit, feeds me and transforms my heaviness. The water upon which I gaze, quenches my thirst and balances my emotions. The refreshing sea breeze blowing on my hair and skin, cools and purifies me, the breath of life. And the firey Florida sun transmutes and sanctifies me on this Holy Day.
Wherever you find yourself today – rain or shine, humid or chilly, locked down or reasonably free – I invite you, as Thozi did me, to ponder what gifts these essential elements offer us. As they defy isolation or State of Emergency, they nurture us every day everywhere.
Even though the beach is closed, my heart is open. Grace led me to the perfect place today and I am grateful.
April 9, 2020