Release

This morning, the ocean was glass and the sky was warm and low and gray. Paddling my SUP out, it felt like everything was gray and still. I was not so much moving over it, but into the vastness - a slow, easy peace. About a mile away, there was a whale watching boat. I paddled towards it, hoping to see what they were seeing. I passed the bell buoy, and the whale boat was now past Lover's Point, following something exciting. I tried to catch up, but I couldn't. The harder I tried, the faster everything seemed to move out of my strength. So halfway between the bell and Lover's, I sat on my board and closed my eyes, releasing the chase and enjoying the moment. Birds flew by, just skating across the surface of the flat sea. I could hear the wind in their wings and their fluidity in the gray. And so I, too, continue to seek that fluidity in life, peace in the moment, and release.

Reflection

Piano song link & painting of the music

"As I Am"

I never thought I would be a teacher, especially a high school teacher. But I cannot believe how much I love it and my students. This past year was tough teaching chemistry and my brain is still recovering, lol. Some days, like today, it was nice to just paddle into the harbor, sit on my board, and feel the water slip through my fingers like liquid magic. As the light streamed across the ripples down to the ocean floor, it was both heart and head time to enjoy doing nothing, being grounded, together, and home. In a moment of peace and belonging, a harbor seal swam up five feet away from me and stared at me, thoughtfully and curiously. "Hey, buddy." We just chilled together for a while, bobbing in the water. Then he went his way, and I went mine.

Piano song

Melissa's Anthem