Big water, especially the ocean, is one of my restorative places. I seek it out when life leaves me frazzled and out of balance. Recently, I returned from a sojourn to the ocean feeling entirely refreshed. In that short trip, nature reminded me of the importance of a more balanced life perspective.

After working a month straight on a large project, I found myself with little energy and a lot “grumpy”. So, I jumped into my car and drove 10 hours to the wild west coast. The small resort town of Tofino on Vancouver Island was the perfect getaway, especially during the off-season. I walked the beach, storm watched, read a book, slept in, ate seafood, hiked the rainforest, hung out with my sons, and got close to Grey Whales. All of this helped restore my life batteries.

On one of my early morning walks, I spotted a single stranded starfish-like creature. The gorgeous orange coloured fish was breathtaking against the gray gold sand beach. I stopped in my tracks to pause and reflect.

This beautiful creature was completely out of its element, struggling to survive. How did this happen? It mustn’t have been fully “anchored” when the tide changed, perhaps for a variety of reasons: maybe it had been threatened by a predator; maybe it was inexperienced so to speak in this part of the pond; maybe it was distracted. Now it was at the mercy of the natural tide cycle.

I watched the tide slowly come in. I was hopeful that the creature would survive, but I wondered if and when it would find itself on shore, stranded again. The similarity between myself and that starfish was unsettling. How many more times would I find myself beached with little energy, hoping for a wave to take me back out to sea, to rejuvenate me, to settle me back where I belong.

My environment is constantly changing. I must pay more attention to staying anchored so that I can weather whatever comes my way. The chance meeting with that little starfish graced me with another subtle lesson from nature. I am thankful, refreshed, and will regularly check my ‘anchors’.

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