Is the Universe speaking to me?

(Hint: there is a theme here! Let’s see if you can find it)

I had the luxury of walking on the beach with a friend this week, and I started to observe the ocean. It was turning; there was a hurricane out there, and we were receiving the huge waves.

I hadn’t been in the water for so long, and I was really, really wanting to get in. Saltwater does something to the soul. I had my hat and my awesome summer shades on. I love these shades! These sunglasses literally would be me, but in sunglass form. That’s the best way I could explain it. They are a full expression of who I am: colorful, reflective, and in your face!

I jumped in the water without even thinking. I threw my hat to the side and forgot I had my sunglasses on. Eek, I can’t believe I made that big mistake. They ripped off my head. There’s no hope in trying to find these sunglasses. I looked around just so I could give it a concerted effort, but I knew they were goners, and I was so bummed. What a great walk I had with a friend, awesome discussion and insight, a dip in the ocean, was really going to let this take away my amazing feeling?

The struggle was real. I easily got pissed immediately when the sunglasses came off, but I’ve been in practice for quite some time now, and I know that being angry is only poison inside your body and doesn’t affect anyone else. Without sounding like a broken record, I think it is imperative to restate the following:

I had a choice. Even though it didn't feel like a choice, I did have one: To continue feeling angry and pissed off about losing something I loved OR to say thank you.

Because I’m finding that when I add a thank you to something that creates discomfort, my perspective opens up. I get gifted something that soothes me.

Things could always be worse.

Am I safe? Yes, once I removed myself from the ocean.

Am I uncomfortable? Yes.

Will I survive this? Also yes. Lord!

These were hurricane waves.

So instead of letting anger harbor inside of me or impulsively buying another pair of those awesome sunglasses, I gave the ocean a thank you. I thank you for taking only my sunglasses and not my whole body out to sea.

It’s amazing what one thought shift will do for your whole perspective of the day.

Love you!

-Elizabeth