“Your
present circumstances don’t determine where you go; they merely determine where
you start.”
– Nido Qubein
I remember the moment quite well. Mike and I were sitting on our balcony overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on the North Carolina coast, enjoying our second annual vacation with the girls to the shore. We were relaxing, reading, the girls were inside unwinding from the day and then as if we sensed each other, we both said, "Someday I want to live by the ocean."
I know, we all say outlandish things from time to time, lofty visions of a dream life but this was very intentional. I think at the back of our minds we both thought, "Yeah, we will live by the ocean when we are older and retired."
I have always enjoyed the ocean. My best memories of childhood all revolve around our family vacations to different beaches. My mom was good at making sure we saw as much of the country as we could each August. I am lucky to say that I have probably been to almost every states shoreline at some time in my life (well not Alaska but yes to Maine!). Sure, Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes but a lake does not compare to the mother ship of all bodies of water like the ocean.
Mike and I both agreed there was something that inspired us, fed a part of us that seemed malnourished when we made it to the shore. The ocean, to me is such a symbol of life. When I am there, all my five senses are heightened and I feel this internal peace that I just have not found anywhere else.
So like most folks, we put those thoughts of moving to the ocean in the back of our minds, loaded up the car and drove back to reality. I mean really, we were not in any position to just drop everything and move to some random place with a nice beach. We were also raised in families that just did not do those types of things. We had responsibilities to think of; a life to go back to and from all prospects - a wonderful life.
The year prior, we took the girls to the ocean for their first time. Mike and I were determined to make our kids travelers from a young age. We had really created the anticipation for both of them when talking about the ocean. We were constantly showing them pictures and talking about the vastness of the ocean. Fiona was 5 and Chloe was 3 at that time. Fiona was very curious and Chloe, our little lover, did not care as long as we were all together.
I remember the first night we arrived at the ocean, after two long days of driving, and how we all embraced it with such joy. It was so fun to see our kid's faces as we walked down to the beach. They were both amazed and a bit uncertain. The tide was high so the waves were what we now call "perfect." We spent each day at the beach, in and out of the water, playing in the sand and simply watching time go by, it was absolutely enchanting.
At the end of the vacation we packed up and left the coast and I remember Fiona saying, "Will we ever come back to the ocean?" We assured her of it for we all loved it. So, the next summer we basically went right back to the same spot and parked it for an entire week. It was pure bliss and after that second trip with the girls a fire was lit underneath both Mike and I. The salt air was calling us.
But as the days, weeks, months rolled on and we started to examine our current lives, we realized that waiting was just not an option. Going to the ocean each year was not cutting it, it was not filling us up enough so we could survive until the next time.
It also worked out that Mike was at a crossroads in his career. It was becoming apparent that we just might need to look out of state for his next opportunity. Many of his colleagues advised him to look outside of Minnesota for there would allow for more options. We needed to make a decision, stay in Minnesota and hope that something opened up soon or look out of state?
Last year I had the challenge and opportunity for a career leap and I took it. It ended up being one of the best decisions I had ever made. It also made me realize that taking risks, going outside ones comfort zone was possible and in the end, rewarding. I am fortunate that my career offers many options so I was willing to take a chance and see what living "somewhere else" was like. So as Mike was given the opportunity to lead his own church and that it was within minutes of the ocean, we decided to take this leap of "faith."
So here we are, on the Suncoast of Florida. Many of you who know me already know a good chunk of this story but as I continue with my writings I will probably reveal more of how it all really happened. This has no doubt been a huge change for us. Four unique individuals in our little family all on this journey together. There have been ups and downs, with few sun salutations thrown in there as well.
What is life like down here? There are so many words and feelings that I know I will not run short of material to discuss. I hope you will come along with me on this adventure. It is a beautiful place to be, the Suncoast, but like any place in the world, it has a story of its own to be revealed. I will admit that it is not always a "day at the beach" but I will try not to get too heavy (let's leave that for Mike's sermons!).
Where will we go from here? Well, the title of this first entry and the quote sum it all up.
It is a new beginning but really, the journey is ever present and ongoing.
As we say at the end of a yoga practice "May the light in me honor the light in you."
Until next time,
Namaste
I know, we all say outlandish things from time to time, lofty visions of a dream life but this was very intentional. I think at the back of our minds we both thought, "Yeah, we will live by the ocean when we are older and retired."
I have always enjoyed the ocean. My best memories of childhood all revolve around our family vacations to different beaches. My mom was good at making sure we saw as much of the country as we could each August. I am lucky to say that I have probably been to almost every states shoreline at some time in my life (well not Alaska but yes to Maine!). Sure, Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes but a lake does not compare to the mother ship of all bodies of water like the ocean.
Mike and I both agreed there was something that inspired us, fed a part of us that seemed malnourished when we made it to the shore. The ocean, to me is such a symbol of life. When I am there, all my five senses are heightened and I feel this internal peace that I just have not found anywhere else.
So like most folks, we put those thoughts of moving to the ocean in the back of our minds, loaded up the car and drove back to reality. I mean really, we were not in any position to just drop everything and move to some random place with a nice beach. We were also raised in families that just did not do those types of things. We had responsibilities to think of; a life to go back to and from all prospects - a wonderful life.
The year prior, we took the girls to the ocean for their first time. Mike and I were determined to make our kids travelers from a young age. We had really created the anticipation for both of them when talking about the ocean. We were constantly showing them pictures and talking about the vastness of the ocean. Fiona was 5 and Chloe was 3 at that time. Fiona was very curious and Chloe, our little lover, did not care as long as we were all together.
I remember the first night we arrived at the ocean, after two long days of driving, and how we all embraced it with such joy. It was so fun to see our kid's faces as we walked down to the beach. They were both amazed and a bit uncertain. The tide was high so the waves were what we now call "perfect." We spent each day at the beach, in and out of the water, playing in the sand and simply watching time go by, it was absolutely enchanting.
At the end of the vacation we packed up and left the coast and I remember Fiona saying, "Will we ever come back to the ocean?" We assured her of it for we all loved it. So, the next summer we basically went right back to the same spot and parked it for an entire week. It was pure bliss and after that second trip with the girls a fire was lit underneath both Mike and I. The salt air was calling us.
But as the days, weeks, months rolled on and we started to examine our current lives, we realized that waiting was just not an option. Going to the ocean each year was not cutting it, it was not filling us up enough so we could survive until the next time.
It also worked out that Mike was at a crossroads in his career. It was becoming apparent that we just might need to look out of state for his next opportunity. Many of his colleagues advised him to look outside of Minnesota for there would allow for more options. We needed to make a decision, stay in Minnesota and hope that something opened up soon or look out of state?
Last year I had the challenge and opportunity for a career leap and I took it. It ended up being one of the best decisions I had ever made. It also made me realize that taking risks, going outside ones comfort zone was possible and in the end, rewarding. I am fortunate that my career offers many options so I was willing to take a chance and see what living "somewhere else" was like. So as Mike was given the opportunity to lead his own church and that it was within minutes of the ocean, we decided to take this leap of "faith."
So here we are, on the Suncoast of Florida. Many of you who know me already know a good chunk of this story but as I continue with my writings I will probably reveal more of how it all really happened. This has no doubt been a huge change for us. Four unique individuals in our little family all on this journey together. There have been ups and downs, with few sun salutations thrown in there as well.
What is life like down here? There are so many words and feelings that I know I will not run short of material to discuss. I hope you will come along with me on this adventure. It is a beautiful place to be, the Suncoast, but like any place in the world, it has a story of its own to be revealed. I will admit that it is not always a "day at the beach" but I will try not to get too heavy (let's leave that for Mike's sermons!).
Where will we go from here? Well, the title of this first entry and the quote sum it all up.
It is a new beginning but really, the journey is ever present and ongoing.
As we say at the end of a yoga practice "May the light in me honor the light in you."
Until next time,
Namaste
