July | 2016 | Open Space Practice, (AKA: A Thousand Shades of Gray)

Waldport Bridge

1. Waldport, where the forest meets the sea. I’m so glad we found it all those years ago, and have been able to come back so many times.

This is what stupid happy looks like

2. It didn’t rain on our walk this morning, even though it was supposed to.

3. All the great beaches along this stretch of the coast. There are so many places to pull off, to park, to walk for miles and miles.

Bridge over Beaver Creek at Ona Beach

Foggy morning at Ona Beach

govpatterson 4. My tiny family. They are so content right now, all three of them.

mosquitotrail sambeachsmile ringobeachcouching 5. The Pacific Ocean. Oh how I love her.

tide Bonus joy: dinner with my BIG family, all the good food especially the German Chocolate Cake my cousin made just for me, a good visit with Eric’s parents, all the good food we’ve been eating while at the beach, a box of goodies from Depot Baykery, texting with my brother, a glass of cold clean water, an almost clean car, a washer and dryer, clean laundry, clean sheets, the most gorgeous weather ever, a mostly nice day when it was supposed to rain, dinner plans with friends I don’t get to see very often, long walks, naps, good books, a hot shower.

beachwithgull

1. Wherever you go, there you are. Being on vacation makes this very clear. I usually enter vacation, whether we stay at home for it or travel, thinking I’ll be a different me, that it will be a magic time. Somehow I’ll be more relaxed, happier, less worried, maybe more productive, healthier, better rested, not bothered by the normal stuff of life. This isn’t the way it goes.

2. What we do impacts others. We might not like it, but it’s true. And as it is true, it seems important to keep in mind when making decisions and choices.

3. None of us are safe, no matter how hard we try to be. We can’t predict or control the way things are going to happen. We can’t know how all the various conditions and causes will work together.

One wish: May we relax into the unpredictable, impermanent nature of being. May we soften the suffering by turning our effort towards joy and love.