Life's a Beach

I've just got back from a sunrise walk to, and on the beach. It struck me as I first stepped onto the dry-ish sand how I needed to alter my pace to still be comfortable.



This is something I do realise often, and in particular barefoot walking gifts it to me. With your feet clad in thick soled shoes, it's easy to tramp through all terrain, unfeeling, un-noticing and onward with the same speed. Barefoot however, changes my view. For a start it makes me aware, acutely aware of sensations - the dew on the wet grass, a patch of warmer rock, pebbly bits that need to be taken slower. And so I slow where I need to, run where I want to and appreciate nature in an entirely different way to when I clomp onwards in shoes.



Sitting, watching the sun rise and noticing the seagulls amongst the shells, hearing the wind whistling through the masts in an eerily beautiful morning hymn to nature, I breathed. I stopped doing and was happy being for a time. That slowing feels to have done me the world of good. I think it's easy to get swept away, busy being busy whilst ultimately just being may create more peace of mind - and probably more productivity late.



So I plan to play with it. To try and adapt my pace more, in life as well as barefoot instead of steaming ahead all the time. Where things are tougher, more stony ground, to slow more, to pick my way carefully. And where they're easy, flowing? That's where I'll kick up my heels and run imagining I'm a gazelle*.



With love and peace,



Em x



* whilst I imagine I'm a gazelle I have been told I'm more like an ostrich...