Week on a Beach to Read

Posted by Marci on Dec 2, 2010 in | 0 comments

The ocean breeze fluttered the pages of my book as I sat under the thatched umbrella. I sipped my drink – the taste of pineapple and coconut filling my mouth. I looked up, staring at the bright, blue ocean of San Jose Del Cabo. Sailboats moved across the water and children played in the waves.

I dug my toes into the sand feeling the fine grains roll around my skin as I turned my focus to my book. I would love to say that during my week on the beach I immersed myself in the great literary authors of our time, but no, I was deep into teen vampire drama. The sensual stories of two men fighting over a wimpy girl had my complete attention as I left all thoughts of work, accomplishments, stress, and home far behind and entered the realm of fantasy.

My dream of spending a week on a beach reading books came to me through my friend Donna. One rainy afternoon in February I’d been looking at my list of dreams and thought how much I needed to see the ocean and relax. A few hours later Donna emailed and asked if I wanted to join her in Cabo at her condo. I looked at my airline miles and realized I had enough for a free ticket.

For one week, I sat by the pool, the ocean, or out on the deck, and read delicious, mindless stories. I fell deeply asleep at ten each night. I walked the beach and practiced yoga. I felt scrumptiously relaxed.

Sloth is one of the deadly sins, but I turn my nose up at this thought. It was decadent to take a week and let go. I was more aware of my surroundings, the sensations of life, and gratitude for what I had. My creativity, that had been blocked the weeks before, emerged from its cocoon. This week on the beach taught me that to stop is the best way to move forward.