After 33 years of being me, I have finally begun to figure out a few things.

One thing I have learned is that the ocean opens my mind.

Whenever I have to do any big thinking, this is where I need to be.

I’m not sure what exactly I find so grounding… the sound of the waves, the crisp, salty wind, the feel of sand under my feet, or the feeling of being drawn into nature’s rhythm – that which has endured for so, so long before my footprints left their mark.

When I can’t think straight, if I can get myself here – somehow the fog in my head lifts, and I can breathe.*

*Disclaimer: this is to say, if I get myself here alone. As in, not lugging three children, twelve tons of beach gear, and a cooler trailing goldfish crackers. That type of beach excursion, while delightful in its way, does not lend itself to deep thinking. Very important distinction!

This week, the beach was very cold, too cold in fact to stay for more than a few minutes… but those few minutes were enough.

Standing with the wind whipping my hair, this quote came to mind:

I took a deep breath, and I thought how very true that is, for me.

Do you have a thinking spot? Where things make sense to you? Or am I the only one? I’d love to hear about it.

PS: To my father and/or my husband, if you’re reading this, I forbid you to mention ‘the bathroom’ as your thinking spot in the comments.