Sometimes, walking the beach isn't such a glorious event. Sometimes, the wind is blowing so hard you must put your head down, pump your arms, and fight the wind.
Such was the case yesterday, a bright, sunny, chilly Saturday in December. My husband had gone to work out, I'd reached my word quota for the week and needed a break from writing. Ignoring the overcast sky and chilly temps, I set out to clear my head at the beach. As I arrived, I realized there were only five or six cars in the parking lot, unusual on Hilton Head Island, even for December. As I got closer to the beach, the wind rocked my car. I parked and strode down the boardwalk. When my sneakers hit sand, the wind almost knocked me over. I began to wonder if this had been such a good idea.
I paused at water's edge, watching the energy of my beloved ocean, its angry waves curling,
cresting, and with a final spurt of annoyance, flattening into calm pools before withdrawing to start the process all over again. Thinking deep thoughts about anger and impatience and perpetual, endless motion, I decided to walk against the wind instead of with the wind. Might as well get the hard part over with, I figured. My arms pumping, my legs working hard, I tugged my jacket tighter around me, put on my gloves and speed-walked down the beach. The harder I dug my legs into the sand, the more exhilarated I became. "Ha!" I shouted to the swirls of sand pelting my jeans, the wind gusts chilling my cheeks. "This is awesome, bring it!" I yelled to the murky skies, the empty beach devoid of people smart enough to stay in their cozy, warm homes instead of risking life and limb on a windy day.
Interesting emotions surged through me as I fought the wind. Determination. Persistence. The thrill of battling the elements. Confidence. What a rush! When I turned around and walked with the wind, it seemed almost a disappointment. Too easy. I missed the adrenaline. When I reached my car, I felt a definite loss but also...fresh energy. As I headed home, I wondered how I should frame the experience. What should I bring full circle? There's always a life lesson if I look for it.
For one, it brought new perspective to my writing that day. I sat down at my keyboard filled with confidence, the blood soaring through my veins like a river overflowing its banks; my brain energized by all those freshly baptized brain cells. On the other side of a decision most people would shy away from, I found new strength. Fresh creativity. A surge of optimism. Two, it's helped me re-commit to tackling the rough things, the unpopular decisions, the hard choices. On the other side of hard-fought battles, a drought experience, an uncomfortable conversation, a thorny relationship that needs mending, a risky career decision, or any number of situations we need to wrestle down...lies a huge victory. A breakthrough. Studies reflect that most people give up just before their breakthrough! Sad, but totally understandable. It's hard to withstand life's windy beaches. Especially if we are surrounded by people who encourage us to "stay home", metaphorically speaking. So. I encourage you, the reader; along with myself, to face the wind and have faith. Once we start walking, it becomes less a battle and more a victory, every time.
