would you like to receive my new posts as I write them?
|
Some days, we manage to go to the beach twice. Once in the morning before it gets too hot and once in the evening after it’s done being too hot.
Each walk has a different energy. In the morning, the beach is waking up from a night of calm or maybe a night of storm. You can feel it, and sometimes you can even see it as nature has re-arranged the terrain overnight, reminding us to not get too self-important, or attached. The air feels like an invitation, a promise, a blank page. There are just a few people and they are waking up, meditating, walking, fishing, or surfing. There is the crisp energy of exercising the body, while dogs are running to greet the day, too. If I had to give it a color, I would say it feels turquoise. In the evening, there are more people. More kids too. Some people are in the water, some are swimming, and many are sitting down for this everyday miracle: the sunset. Over here, we ask: “Are you going to sunset tonight?” as if we were asking about going to church on Sunday. In some ways, it’s similar. When the sun goes down, it is applauded and thanked. Applauded for doing what it does, which I think is pretty darn inspiring. The sun never tries to rain, to turn blue, or to talk. It does its thing of rising and setting. And we humans gather to applaud it. I like to think about this. There is also something sacred about finishing the day together, whether we know each other or not. If had to give the evening beach walks a color, it would be a rich purple. Some conversations pretty much always happen on these beach walks. Some are mild and sweet, short. Some are occasionally surprising. The morning talks are usually done standing up while the evening ones often happen sitting down, looking at the sun and the darkening ocean. These conversations tend to be deeper. It’s a ritual and it’s a ritual that feeds the mind, the soul, and the heart. A bit like going to a yoga class, I never return from a beach walk wishing I had stayed home instead. A few days ago, I had forgotten to bring water for Marley and Lila. I figured they would be fine till we got home. But Marley, with the street smarts that she earned the hard way as a puppy, walked straight to a man who was sitting on his blanket looking at the ocean and somehow asked for some water. Within seconds, she was drinking out of a bowl right by him. He looked towards me, smiled, and gave me a thumbs up. As Marley trotted back to me - likely wondering what Lila was waiting for - I put my hand over my heart and thanked him. LOVEliness. It’s not all roses and hibiscus. I just heard of a dog being attacked, right by the shore. Occasionally someone drowns in the big waves, and well… the river that empties into the ocean - the same river that gurgles by my home - is not all that clean. They too, are true. These pieces, I would color a dark velvety maroon. Contrasts. Always contrasts. Contrasts that keep us alert, and contrasts that soften our absolutes when they try to decorate our narratives. Very few “always,” very few “never.” The turquoise claims its right to exist just as the purple and the maroon do. As do the bright yellow and the ochre. And the fuschia. All these colors exist within us and all these colors exist within our days, our weeks. Trying to blend them creates a sad brown, a bunch of Thursdays all strung together. Much prettier to truly feel and be with each one. So yes, morning beach walk and evening beach walk. Bright, dark, joyous, introspective, tragic, tempestuous and blissful. A buffet of Essences for us to feast on and be part of. To celebrate and to applaud. For being exactly who they are. I’m learning. Comments are closed.
|
Some of my books on Amazon.
"Every time I read your blog I am so profoundly happy I did. The truth you speak is just mindboggling. The real, real voice you have. It makes me almost crazy how much I love your words and your way of telling stories that cut to the quick- and I never have the words to really say how much this all means to me.
Laura - I always read your posts and am touched by your vulnerability , courage and honesty. Thank you for sharing from your heart. It is a rare gift in this world. A gift we humans are in desperate need of. You put out so many heartfelt blog pieces that touch my heart and move me down the right path at the right time. Pure beautiful magic girlie. I love you for this. Thank you for digging in there and finding the gems of wisdom and then just sharing them out as if there's an endless supply ... which with you, there is." Archives
February 2025
"Thank you for sharing your wonderful, heartbreaking, exhilarating experience with the world."
"Thank You Laura for sharing, for teaching and spreading loving kindness. " "I think I love you. You bring good things into my life, or remind me of things I love and know, but have let go of." "Laura, you are so good for me. I laugh and sniffle and get the shivers when I read your essays. Thanks so much for letting all your wonderfulness run around loose." "Heart-achingly beautiful, your words and how you reveal your truth." "Thank you so much for who you are and what you share with the world. Your mere being transforms lives as it has transformed mine. This particular post did to my heart what water does to parched soil." "Thank you for your gentle words that are packed full of wisdom. I have been struggling with the concept of what words can do to another person when they are negative words. Your words are the flip side of our word power, and shows how delightfully powerful kind words can be. Thank you." "Once again Laura Lavigne takes you on an adventure of the heart. She has a way of pulling you right in the car with her. Asking you to consider changing a fear to taking thoughtful action. Whether she's teaching a class, leading a retreat or heading for a happiness sprinkling, Laura will invite you to shed old ways of thinking and be completely authentic. Join in!" "Essentially pure love. I enjoy how Laura is kind to herself and to us other humans who dance in and out of each other's lives. " "Don't miss a post! You can count on Laura for warmth, humor, charm, and a lift to your day and your heart. She inspires me to be braver than I am, and to love the world out loud. She's a gem, and a generous one at that!" Me
I write because this is the way I am able to taste life more deeply. |