There's something, well everything, serene about being at the beach.
The waves crash and people laugh. It's like a warm embrace from the world.
When I walk the beach, I cartwheel, laugh, whistle, hum, jump in the water, and say hi.
Today, it occurred to me that although not every person would be open to my free expression, some people would be happy to receive it. Further, it would not be worth restricting myself from all people because the positive impact made for the people that I connect with far outweighs the fear I may have for someone ignoring my expression.
I'm sure the fear is rooted somewhere in my past. Likely embarrassment in grade school for doing something "uncool".
Recently, and even throughout the later part of high school I have opened the doors of my life by becoming a free spirit. The easiest way to do this was to be extreme. In high school, when we would dress up for Homecoming Week or Spirit Week I went all out. I brought red-white-and-blue-stripped stockings or taste-the-rainbow hats, and even wore a dress one day. It released me. I no longer was fixated on what others thought I was because I knew it was all up to me. So here we are, years later, still me. Yesterday I went dancing in the park, and I started this article with cartwheels on the beach. Life is good, the sunset is beautiful and the sunrise of my life is pleasantly growing.
I am so grateful and so blessed.
Here's to many more great days and bright, sun-shining people.