You’ll Find Me By the Water

When the world seems like it is falling apart, you will find me by the water.

When I need rest, you will find me by the water.

When life is just too much, you will find me by the water.

Any time I can, you will find me by the water!

There are so many antidotes about the value of water, it refreshes the soul in ways nothing else can.  It rewires your brain by seeing the blue, hearing the rush or trickle of waves or waterfalls, and the fresh smell. 

This is my magic place.  Where I am most happy, feel most alive, and relaxed all at the same time.  I know there is scientific evidence to suggest this, but for me it goes back to my childhood spent on the Puget Sound.  Playing in the bay, swimming and frolicking on Mirror Lake, or time at my Grandma’s house on Spanaway Lake.  Each holds a special place in my heart, but mostly time at Grandma’s lake.  I often go there in my mind when I can’t sleep. I imagine myself sitting by the water and breath in the experience.

In August I had the privilege of attending a cancer survivor trip on the Salmon River in Idaho.  We traveled 53 miles down the lower Salmon in six-man paddle boats, single duckies (inflatable kayaks) and princess boats (the guides did the paddling.)  It was an amazing experience!  I tackled my fear of the whitewater rapids pretty quickly and most enjoyed the ducky.  To say I got wet is an understatement!  The other survivors and staff were all so amazing.  We had great times chatting on the river bank, by the fire at night and my best memory was an impromptu sing a long in the pouring rain.  We told stories, laughed and ate like kings and queens! 

And of course, I couldn’t get the smile off my face.  Like I said, water brings me such peace.  I loved swimming each night once we got back to camp.  Having grown up as an open water swimmer, I was in heaven!   There is nothing like doing the side stroke with my eye at water level, my happiest of happy places! 

Recently I attended a sound bath by Lake Erie. While listening to the crystal bowls I imagined my cells and the water in my body dancing up to the sounds.  I can’t fully explain it, but if you think of a drop hitting the water and the response from the dancing flow upward, I imagined that was happening in my body. A stirring up and letting go at the same time. 

I tell you, water is magic!  When you are having a tough day find a lake, stream, or waterfall.  Just sit and listen.  You will be amazed how it calms the soul.  When water is not around, I like to do “water waves” a technique in Tai Chi/Qigong.  Place your hands down facing the earth and move them as if you are waist deep in water skimming the water with your hands.  Magical!

My self portrait from OCRA Craft Event