Simplicity

The other day I went down to the beach, the weather was quite nice.
There was just a hint of haze in the air, the ocean breeze was blowing, the temperature was not too hot and not too cold.
It was wonderful.
There weren't many people there.

I walked along the beach not thinking much, I was just enjoying being there. My head was quiet. It was a nice change from the usual parade of crazy thoughts flying through my head. I suppose one could even say that I was relaxed.
Somehow (and much to my great delight) I have begun developing an eye for simple beauty. A rock with an interesting pattern, a shell with some purple in it, nothing but water stretching for miles...

I took along my camera and took pictures thinking how lucky I was to be there.
When I was younger I never gave a second thought to where I lived or the beach or anything. For some reason I have begun to appreciate so much more and I love it, I find simple happiness in a child walking down the pier holding his elders hands, its extraordinary how much is in the world.

I walked along and picked up rocks I thought were interesting, I felt a bit childish, I did that when I was younger. I often took more rocks from the beach than I knew what to do with. I also tried to build a sandcastle but it started to get messy and I stopped.

The ocean drowned out most other noise, it was almost quiet, almost still. I think that such small things are healing to the soul and I find myself craving the simplicity of a walk along the beach with the sun on my back, wind in my face and nothing but the sound of the ocean in my ears.

I suppose I'm overflowing with thankfulness that I was there that day.
I love Southern California, its the place I come back to with relief in my heart knowing that I'm home. Despite the traffic, the rude drivers, the many people who cross the street; this is it for me: the end of the line.

(Note, if you doubt anything I said just check the length of this blog, that should prove how simple it was. I have said enough and captured it all.)