The wind was whipping across the water with vigor and every time a wave, no matter how small, would hit the small rock outcropping, I’d get smashed across the face with a horizontal shower of seawater.
I could taste the salt and feel it on my skin.
In front of me, the sky was filled with clouds obscuring the late afternoon sun, creating patterns of light mimicking the artistry of sunset that I had become accustomed to here in Maui.
There were ripples in the sand and I could see individual grains dancing across the air, seeking out their temporary place by the water.
I needed to kill some time as I waited for Julie, so I decided to take a walk to the closest piece of beach — just a block away.
And there wasn’t a soul nearby.
We were in the middle of a pandemic - living on an island that was as far from “civilization” as any other place on earth - sitting on a little rock in the middle of the sea.
And I was alone.
No one in any direction.
No humans.
No locals.
No tourists.
Every inch of this shoreline was mine to enjoy without distraction.
And so I started to notice what was around me.
I saw the sand, I smelled the sea, I felt the salt, i noticed the sun, I watched the clouds.
And for that moment, I wasn’t anxious or stressed or worried.
I didn’t think about my to do list or the pandemic or the countless other things that eat up bandwidth in my constantly grinding brain.
I was present.
I was a speck amongst specks of sand on a speck of rock in the middle of the vast ocean and I was at peace.
Where is your beach in the middle of nowhere?
It has taken me over 44 years to learn that this moment is one of the moments to cherish.
I’ve spent more than my fair share of time grinding, hustling, working, worrying, stressing, thinking, helping, giving, and doing countless other actions, but have not taken enough time to just be present and notice the world around me.
And doing so has brought me a real sense of peace.
I’m living the dream after countless hours and years of sacrifice.
I’m working on my happiness.
And I’m not going to allow ambition and the search for power, money, fame or anything else to get in the way of that goal.
And one key step towards that happiness is to get my regular share of as my friend Tim says, “the goods in the woods.”
Being one with nature. Becoming present. Living outside that bubble of self-importance, if only for a few moments - every day.
That’s one step I’m striving to take every day to help me live my best life.
You see, there’s nothing more important than a live lived well.
Don’t wait until tomorrow to live your best life.
This is YOUR time!
