Today, I wore shorts for the first time in a long time. It felt strange, to show my legs after covering them up for a while. But the sun was present the whole day, and it was warm. As I sat down with my pastry and coffee in the morning, I noticed everyone walking by. Dresses, skirts, shorts, and sometimes even bathers. I was not imagining it… summer is right around the corner. As I walked back to my apartment, I took the road by the sea. The water looks inviting again, clear and gentle, and the beaches are filling up. From afar, you can see the coastline covered with little dots – those who are already starting to sunbathe and some who are brave enough to start entering the water.
I have to say, I’m glad that I will be leaving soon. The beach culture is different here than back in Perth. When I’ve been in this region for summer, I’ve sometimes witnessed so many people on the beach that it’s impossible to walk along it if you only want to feel the sand between your toes. That’s only in the middle of the day though. In the morning the beaches are empty, and the water is fresh. Perfect for a little moment of relaxation. I have a feeling that I’ll be going for morning swims soon and I’m looking forward to getting the salt in my skin again.
When I look past the shore and out into the horizon, I can feel that the water connects me to all the other places I’ve been. It is so expansive, and all encompassing… I love how it makes me feel small. I can take a deep sigh of relief. The things that happen in my life aren’t so important after all. A careless comment I made to someone, or the look that another person gave me… All those things which we scrutinise in life seem so small when we realise that one moment in time is the same as a drop of water in the ocean. All in all, time goes on and we only have one thing: the perspective we choose.
The things we decide to remember, the importance that we place on people and actions, the validation that we choose to receive. I think that’s why life seems a whole lot easier when we live close to nature. We see that she moves impartially, adapting to whatever comes her way and not letting the little things bother her. No matter how many countries you have travelled to, if you are able to get closer to nature and watch her work her magic… she inevitably enriches you. It doesn’t even take that long to reconnect with her, she’s always there waiting for you.
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