For those of you who know me know that I am a beach girl through and through. I am fascinated with the ocean, the shoreline, the marsh, the waves, and the sea life that water provides. A few weeks ago, some friends and I went to a place called Bulls Island a 6.5-mile uninhabited island that is the largest of the four barrier islands off the coast of South Carolina. And there’s a place on the island that they call Boneyard Beach and that’s because the sun and saltwater have bleached the old oak trees, the cedars, and Pines and their white color looks a lot like bones on the shoreline. It’s also a great place to find shells, sand dollars other pirate treasure. We went for a walking tour of the coast and the inland and on our walk our conversation turned to what’s next for all of us.
What would we like to see and be, and hear and do? It was clear standing in the salty ocean wind that without action, nothing in our lives was going to happen. Much like the driftwood and palm fronds coming in from the sea, without a plan, we’d be tossed about hoping to land somewhere. We joked that at least the creatures that lived in the shells on the shore had a plan every time the waves hit, they knew they had to burrow into the sand before the birds came along and gobbled them up. Seems so simple — a plan. But rarely do I know of folks who have a real plan with dates for accomplishments or redirection in place. Many times, I find myself talking about Someday. Someday I’m going to do this or that but not today or tomorrow but someday in the future… whenever that may be.
You know – someday. This vague promise came to light when at the end of our stay at another wonderful island off the coast of the Carolinas called Edisto. My friends and I were at the Estonian the famous eat-gas-bait shop where they got me a T-shirt as a gift for hosting them and the T-shirt was cool because it said Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and then it said, see there is no someday.
I have to tell you that I still have that T-shirt. I love it because it reminds me that so many times in life, we all say someday… but there is no someday my friends. We should all pull out calendars and make a plan for every day. We need to put a solid date on the calendar and make something happen and that only happens when you realize that your days on this earth are numbered and coming to an end, your time is short, and your responsibility is to get moving now – not someday.
Throughout these podcasts, you’re going to hear me talk a lot about going to the beach since it is my happy place. Now I’m not sure what my sign is… I always thought my sign was stone or fire, but my friends say, they think it is water. Who knows, all I can say is I love the beach, I love what it does for me mentally, emotionally, physically, and probably spiritually. And if you have the chance to get away, I always encourage you to find water. Water is the healing… healing for the mind, body, soul, and spirit.
So just an aside I am an elected water commissioner in my hometown, so clean, fresh drinking water is a big part of my life. The fact is water is healing. According to Medical News Today – Drinking water has numerous benefits. Water is crucial for many bodily functions, such as lubricating the joints, delivering oxygen throughout the body, preventing kidney damage, and more. And just being around water or what some call “blue spaces,” is associated with positive measures from high levels of vitamin D (sunshine) to encouraging physical activity like walking on the shoreline and being quiet so your heart and mind can find peace… at least until your grandkids come calling for you to pick up a crab or catch a minnow.
Ah, friends, there is no someday so let’s start today to make good things happen. It takes planning and purpose, but it is one of the most valuable tools you have for a successful life.
