My mind wandered across the beach, my thoughts upon the waves, washing clean and back to shore. My feet were cool, resting past the surface level of sand. My body being warmed by the sun, and even more so from the love I felt from the man sitting next to me.
I’ve always dreamed about living a life I wouldn’t need to vacation from. I thought to myself, when I can say this, I’ll know I’ve made it. But something about this moment shifted something for me. I watched the birds dive deep into the ocean and with determination to gather, they would come up – fulfilled. This made sense to me.
The palm trees swaying and children laughing. Birds can always be observed if we look up once in awhile. A page from my book dancing in the wind, reminding me of my attention drifting elsewhere. A couple near by, mirroring what others see when they look at me and Jason. Admiring each other, but perfectly relaxed.
Fulfillment is attainable at any moment, we only need to dive deeper.
On a vacation we take the essentials. Packing lighter gives us room to experience what isn’t materialistic. When we are away, we look at each day as a gift. An experience waiting to happen. Regardless of the season, in a land that isn’t familiar, we make the most of it. We stay hopeful and make the moments count. We make effort to capture memories we surely wont forget. We’ll bring it up years to come and share it over laughter and maybe even tears. These are thoughts I spend present time looking forward to, without realizing I already have it. Here and now. Tomorrow and the next day. Our days outside of vacation are just as numbered.
I looked at Jason and told him, “I love this life.” Knowing I meant I love more than just this vacation. I love the life outside of it. The life we’re going home to. The family and friends. Our daily routines, what we do for a living but even more, our passions. What has passed and what’s in store. I love that everyday can be treated as luxurious as a vacation if we remind ourselves how precious our moments are. I vow promises to myself, in the silence between pages turning and passerby’s – I promise never to rely on time away to feel the admiration I have for this life.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s normal and healthy to enjoy time away from normal responsibility. I’m guilty for indulging in pauses, taking a step back, breaking free. I admire time dedicated to re-centering and becoming re-inspired. This is how we become polished. But what if, in the time away we realized we could be this enlightened on any ordinary day?
We watched the sun glide from one side of us to the other, setting. Slipping us into the night. Another day coming to an end, but not just any day.
I will look forward to this life. Not one day, but everyday.
-Sadianne Joyce
Studio Strive 