Relax and Renew
This past week, I went on vacation with my family to South Carolina. With its sandy beaches and lush palm trees, it was a picture-perfect place. But what I loved the most was our trip to Bulls Island. This remote island north of Charleston is part of the Cape Romaine Wildlife Refuge and is only accessible by boat. It is undeveloped and is truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. We arrived at the landing on Tuesday morning just before 9 a.m. and walked down the long wooden pier. Boarding the small ferry, we were excited for our upcoming adventure. On our way over to the island, we learned about oysters and their importance to the estuary. We also got to see some amazing wildlife – egrets, oyster catchers, and a baby dolphin that swam in the water alongside the boat. Once the ferry was docked, we stepped onshore and began our hike through the wilderness to the sandy beach that was located on the opposite side of the island. The sun shone brightly in the clear blue sky, and we breathed in the fresh air, eager for whatever treasures we might discover along the way. (My kids were desperately hoping to find unbroken sand dollars, so they could take them home as souvenirs.) As we strolled along the grassy path, we soon came upon three alligators sunning themselves. But our arrival didn’t seem to bother them – in fact, they didn’t even move. Our captain had explained on the ferry ride to the island that alligators don’t eat people; they only eat things they can swallow whole. However, we decided to give these alligators a wide berth just in case. As we walked around them, I was amazed at the alligators’ ability to bask in the sunshine and not let our presence distract them. They were completely relaxed and calm, totally indifferent to our existence. They were doing exactly what they needed to do – soak up the sun’s warmth.
We continued our hike until at last we reached the beautiful and pristine beach. Miles and miles of sand stretched out along a gently rolling surf. With the warm wind blowing across our faces, we admired the breathtaking view. Strolling along the deserted beach, we found whole sand dollars and unbroken whelk shells glistening along the entire shore. It was a beachcomber’s paradise! We gathered up our shells and sand dollars, laughing as we noticed the tiny crabs scurrying toward their holes in the sand and disappearing from view. They were so fast! Relaxing in the sun, we enjoyed each other’s company. And once our time on the island was finished, we were sad to leave but also felt refreshed and happy. Getting away from all of life’s distractions had brought us closer together. Maybe there really was something to this idea of soaking up the sun and taking time to renew. Perhaps we could all use a little more of it – a bit of downtime to give us a fresh perspective on our lives.
Downtime helps us see the world differently. It enables us to appreciate the things around us that sometimes we are too busy to notice. All too often, we become consumed with our “daily grind,” feeling worn out and exhausted. And our constant dependence on electronic devices doesn’t help. They are a big distraction, sometimes causing us to “check out” from our own families. That is why taking time away from everything, including our electronic devices, to rest and renew is so essential. When we are away from life’s many distractions, we can experience the world in entirely new ways. We can smell the sweet fragrance of jasmine flowers that bloom in the spring, taste the salty essence of the fresh sea air upon our lips, and hear the melody of the cardinal’s song in the early morning light. These are the little things that help make the world beautiful.
Downtime can be as simple as taking a mini vacation or spending some time alone in nature. It doesn’t have to happen in a far off place or be at an expensive resort. Taking a day trip to the beach or hiking in the mountains can be all the renewal you need. There is something about the beauty of nature that helps people feel at peace. It centers them. Rachel Carson, author of “Silent Spring,”wrote: “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” The renewal that nature provides is a strong and powerful resource for us all.
A friend of mine recently helped me see the importance of renewal in a whole new light. She had spent a month in Australia and was sharing the differences between American and Australian cultures. She said, “In America, we live to work while in Australia, they work to live.” She went on to explain the importance of taking holiday and spending time with family in the Australian culture. She viewed it as an attractive and refreshing idea – one Americans should perhaps consider. So, my question to you is: which do you do? Do you “live to work” or “work to live?”
This week, schedule some downtime to relax and renew. Whether that means vacationing to an exotic place or walking along the trail in a nearby wood, take time away from life’s many distractions. Turn off your cell phone or your iPad and observe the world around you. Do you see the daffodils blooming or hear the wind whispering through the trees? Breathe in the fresh air and appreciate nature’s simple beauty. Spend some time along a sandy shore and bask in the sun like the alligators. Slow down and renew. Discover whether you prefer the idea of “working to live” or “living to work.” Gain a new perspective and do it often – as often as you can. It may just change the way you see the world!
