We had an Airbnb trip with our friends last weekend. The property was surrounded by tall green trees, wildlife, and mountains. It had a beautiful patio, a hot tub, and, most importantly, loads of chill.
On the last day, I woke up early. The sun was shining, and the weather was sweet – summer in PNW felt like winter in Arizona. I looked outside the French windows. The patio looked like a perfect place to sip morning coffee. We had bought coffee beans, so making coffee meant grinding the coffee to the right consistency to begin with. Of course, I could not find the coffee grinder. Not everything needs to be perfect.
I wore a borrowed jacket and went to the patio. I sat on the couch, wrapped in the gentle quiet that only early hours bring. The sun stared straight at me. The world hadn’t fully woken up yet. There was just the soft rustling of leaves. Birds were chirping. Occasionally, I heard the sound of a breeze brushing past. I let the stillness settle into me. It was unbelievably beautiful and calm.
Surrounded by lush greenery, I felt the peace I had been seeking. The trees stood tall and serene, their leaves swaying gently with the breeze. The sky above was an obvious, endless blue, with no noise, no clouds, just openness. It felt like nature was holding space for me to simply be. I needed the peace.
At that moment, I wasn’t thinking about responding to Slack messages, to-do lists, or emails. I wasn’t rushing toward the next thing. I was simply present, anchored by the greenery around me, yet lifted by the sky above. It’s incredible how something as simple as a quiet morning on a patio can realign your entire mindset.
I didn’t miss the coffee I initially intended to include in my plan. This experience led me to realize that plans don’t need to be flawless. They don’t need to unfold exactly as we want them to. It is perfectly okay if certain elements are absent; sometimes, flexibility is key. Instead of dwelling on what’s missing, it’s more productive to embrace the original intent. Then, proceed with the journey as it currently stands. Every plan can have its own unique twists and turns. These deviations can often lead to unexpected discoveries and new opportunities. Such is life.
Sometimes, true peace doesn’t stem from the hustle of daily tasks or relentless ambition. Instead, it emerges when we take the time to slow down, step outside, and immerse ourselves in the beauty of the outdoors. Nature reminds us of what truly matters.
Wishing you peace and calm, so you can appreciate the present moment and feel centered.
Of Sun and Sand 