Many times and places in my life I have felt like I didn’t belong. The spaces that feel like I get to be the full expression of myself whether it be quiet, active, observant, or loud, are wild spaces. The beach is the most easily accessible for me at this time. When I’m in the water, the sound of the waves muffles my loud singing, I can float and stare at the sky, I can dive through waves like an otter, I can dance like a ballerina with the water up to my waist- no one can see the leaping and plieing happening below the surface! I feel invisible and ageless, both of which I probably am not. But in that environment I just don’t care and feel free to express myself however I like.
The special place in the lower Sierras where my family used to backpack was the same. I would skinny dip, sunbathe on a large boulder, climb trees, explore the woods and stare at plants or the water, read books in the shade, pretend I knew how to carve skillfully with my precious red swiss army knife. I was responsible for pumping our water through the filtration system, carrying my own gear, and felt so free. Totally free to be myself at my own pace.
Neither of these places can be my day-to-day home but I’m looking for one that feels like them.
— slowjamr
The special place in the lower Sierras where my family used to backpack was the same. I would skinny dip, sunbathe on a large boulder, climb trees, explore the woods and stare at plants or the water, read books in the shade, pretend I knew how to carve skillfully with my precious red swiss army knife. I was responsible for pumping our water through the filtration system, carrying my own gear, and felt so free. Totally free to be myself at my own pace.
Neither of these places can be my day-to-day home but I’m looking for one that feels like them.
— slowjamr
This is beautiful. I hope you don't mind if I re-experience my younger days as YOU. I love the ocean, but never had the courage to actually SWIM in it (although I'd do endless laps in chlorinated pools). I also never associated leisure and daydreaming with hiking, since my family rarely spent more than a day in the woods. Still, now I know it's possible! (Macoff)
ReplyDeleteThis is so great. I feel transported to these happy places. I love ocean swimming and skinnydipping free in the water. I hope you find your place that feels like this. It can happen.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Daniel, I'm believing it can and feel free to live vicariously Macoff! My mom would always marvel at my sister and I being "fish" because she was afraid of the water and didn't learn to swim until she was 50. Everyone has their own happy place. BUT I got her to boogie board for the first time at 72 (enjoyed but not repeated), so anything is possible!
ReplyDelete^slowjamr
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