We returned today from a tropical vacation in Marco Island, Fl. I am one of those lucky ones who believes the most beautiful place in the world is my childhood back yard! Although I grew up in Homestead, FL, south of Miami, many weekends and vacations were spent two hours due west on the Gulf Coast in Marco. I still have memories of fishing poles being stuck in my play pen (not pack & plays in the 70's!) on the dock and the fear of a giant dolphin grabbing the bait and taking me with it! I also recall days spent on Tiger Tail beach and in the evening being unable to lower my arms as my torso was so blistered and burnt. We actually grew fresh aloe plant on our avocado farm so we would apply the sticky gel from head to toe for relief. Somehow, we always managed to make it to the beach the next day with of course our Hawaiian Tropic oil. It was not a sun-savvy decade.
Marco Island is only 4 miles wide and 6 miles long. Its development did not begin until the mid 1960's at which time it only had about 5oo residents--partly due to the fact visitors and residents had to cross a narrow, wooden hand operated swing bridge. Today it has 15,000 residents which swells to 35,000 during the snowbird season. The bridge now is nicknamed "The Bridge To Paradise," a huge, tall, expansive bridge which at its peak you can see the gulf for miles.
If I was a photographer I would never lack for photo ops. Every few minutes the sky is a different color, the water a deeper shade of blue, and pelicans and sea gulls skim the gulf in search of mullet and minnows. Manatees and dolphins play in the shallow sea-wall regions and often appear to glide under and around the dock solely to entertain their guests. Once you make your way to the south beach arena there is an entirely new natural display of beauty. Shells, white sand, starfish, sea urchins, sand dollars, waves, clouds, and sunsets...the entire day holds one captive.
During vacations I try to utilize my reciprocal membership of the YMCA at Marco Island. I always enjoy being the student rather than the instructor and taking mental notes of their personal touches in each class. Betty is one of my favorites. She is near 70 and teaches Zumba, Pilates, and yoga. She appeals to all ages and always ends her class with a thought provoking quote. Irene is the drill sergeant from New York with a body of lean muscle--one that is truly screaming for doughnuts! She teaches a strength class that brings us to tears but the next day leads us in sunrise yoga creating an exceptional start to our day. It is during the relaxation phase that she suggests we release all thoughts of doing and instead focus on simply being. What would it mean to you to cease thoughts of what you are doing and instead relax into being? There is no better place to practice "being" than lying under a palm tree and listening to the gentle slap of the waves against the sea wall. It seemed all too easy in Marco Island...then reality hits. Just ask my kids how caught up mom was in "doing" and telling them to start "doing" the suitcase unpacking and laundry this afternoon. I was in my witch costume a day early and heckling at "my pretty's." But I digress...let's think about being. I believe there are opportunities to simply "be" all around us...we just get caught up in the doing.
Maybe my most astute and favorite philosopher, Kenny Chesney, says it best in his Caribbean song, "Be As You Are."
Marco Island is only 4 miles wide and 6 miles long. Its development did not begin until the mid 1960's at which time it only had about 5oo residents--partly due to the fact visitors and residents had to cross a narrow, wooden hand operated swing bridge. Today it has 15,000 residents which swells to 35,000 during the snowbird season. The bridge now is nicknamed "The Bridge To Paradise," a huge, tall, expansive bridge which at its peak you can see the gulf for miles.
If I was a photographer I would never lack for photo ops. Every few minutes the sky is a different color, the water a deeper shade of blue, and pelicans and sea gulls skim the gulf in search of mullet and minnows. Manatees and dolphins play in the shallow sea-wall regions and often appear to glide under and around the dock solely to entertain their guests. Once you make your way to the south beach arena there is an entirely new natural display of beauty. Shells, white sand, starfish, sea urchins, sand dollars, waves, clouds, and sunsets...the entire day holds one captive.
During vacations I try to utilize my reciprocal membership of the YMCA at Marco Island. I always enjoy being the student rather than the instructor and taking mental notes of their personal touches in each class. Betty is one of my favorites. She is near 70 and teaches Zumba, Pilates, and yoga. She appeals to all ages and always ends her class with a thought provoking quote. Irene is the drill sergeant from New York with a body of lean muscle--one that is truly screaming for doughnuts! She teaches a strength class that brings us to tears but the next day leads us in sunrise yoga creating an exceptional start to our day. It is during the relaxation phase that she suggests we release all thoughts of doing and instead focus on simply being. What would it mean to you to cease thoughts of what you are doing and instead relax into being? There is no better place to practice "being" than lying under a palm tree and listening to the gentle slap of the waves against the sea wall. It seemed all too easy in Marco Island...then reality hits. Just ask my kids how caught up mom was in "doing" and telling them to start "doing" the suitcase unpacking and laundry this afternoon. I was in my witch costume a day early and heckling at "my pretty's." But I digress...let's think about being. I believe there are opportunities to simply "be" all around us...we just get caught up in the doing.
Maybe my most astute and favorite philosopher, Kenny Chesney, says it best in his Caribbean song, "Be As You Are."
RSS Feed