It's a beach thing

There is something about being at the beach that changes us. The hazy sunshine sinks into us and the sweet sea air conjures up ideas that have been long sleeping in our brains. The constant sound of churning waves is both relaxing and motivating, driving us to look out at the horizon. Searching the distance for what is next. For me, it's about getting out of my comfort zone. I live in the mountains of central Virginia. It's safe in the mountains, like a fortress around me, I feel comforted there. But here, at Ocean Isle, you can see as far as the eye can fathom. The ocean drives in and pulls out, one wave larger than the next; it's unpredictable, exciting. The energy here is amazing! Being here opens up possibilities that we don't often allow ourselves to consider. The artist in me is brimming with ideas: I find it hard to sleep, wishing I'd brought my pastels and paints. What do I photograph next? The simplicity of a wild morning glory stretching across a sand dune causes a million scensors to go off in my brain. To see this kind of beauty makes you long to see it again. I feel like taking chances, swimming out a little further, diving in. I see my son, who's usually afraid of the water, running into the waves and I'm amazed at the power this place holds. He's overcoming boundaries he's drawn for himself and in that he's finding a whole new sense of accomplishment and freedom. From that we can all take a lesson.