The Sea

I think we all have happy places don't we? A place where we feel removed from the hurley burley of everyday life. Somewhere where you feel like nothing else matters. The past, the future all feels slightly meaningless in the moment that you're connected to the world.

I have a few places that match that description but none quite so powerfully as the sea.

Whilst we were away in Cornwall we managed to see all kinds of weather from storms showing us the awesome, catastrophic power of the waves crashing against the rocks, to calm walks along the beach at sunset.

When you're faced with the beauty and the sheer size of water and land colliding you can't help feel small and wonder a little whether all of the things you've been so worried about really matter all that much after all.

Of course the moment you're pulled away from your reverie they become all important again but in that moment there is a stillness in your soul that allows you to finally feel at peace with yourself and the world.

It's little wonder to me that most faiths either centre nature as their deity or point to it as proof of the deity's existence. There's nothing quite like it to make you question everything and wonder what your purpose in the world is.

The greeks had Poseiden, The Romans Neptune and the Norse Ægir. St Paul points to the wonder of creation as the general revelation of God's existence. I think throughout all time and history cultures have felt the awe that I'm trying and failing to describe.

Being present in those moments leads to so many benefits. The simple joy of running into the water even though it's freezing is something that you forget as you 'grow up'. I think something both me and Clare have talked about in therapy is not having had enough time in our lives at any point to embrace our free child.

I know we've both been given the homework of trying to be more playful. I think when you're at the seaside it's very difficult to be anything other than that. It's a lovely thing to witness that pure joy of silliness. I like being silly I don't to it enough.

The other advantage is that when you feel connected to nature you also feel connected to other people within nature. It's somehow easier to express your thoughts and talk to people when you're outside. I love my walks with Clare. They're where some of the most significant moments in our lives have been discussed. It somehow feels less threatening than it would across a coffee table in your lounge.

I suppose ultimately my conclusion is that brains are weird but I'm very glad that we have the capacity for awe and joy that being next to the sea can bring. It's a beautiful thing. I want to be back there soon.

And as I now go back to everyday life i'm going to try and spend a few seconds every day remembering what it's like to watch the water lap upon the shore.

Where's your happy place? Where do you feel at peace? I encourage you to reflect and find out. Feel free to share if you already know.

Thanks for reading.

Ellie x