Balance, Gratitude, and Love

What a wonderful few days, the kind of days that

you want to savor. I am amazingly grateful for

a few simple things. The summer weather has

been glorious. My morning rituals are a pleasure.

Wake up early, do a bit of yoga, put on my boardshorts

and t shirt, head downstairs for some coffee, and Happy

(my dog) and I walk to the beach. At the beach we meet

up with one of my friends, another surfer who loves

the ocean, and his puppy. Check out the surf, stroll as the

dogs romp, chase, explore and generally have their

exercise, and we make plans.

The surf this summer has been amazingly consistent. It

seems that we are surfing multiple sessions almost every day.

That's a real treat for New Jersey. When the surf is knee high

or under, like today, I grab my SUP and either go for a paddle

amongst the seemingly ever present morning pod of dolphins

and schools of bait fish or ride a few waves. I love the SUP

as a reminder of the importance of balance both on the ocean

and in my life.

What has been one of the more special parts of this new routine

has been the late morning trip to the beach with either or both

of my grandchildren. Simon and Lucy love the beach and the

ocean. My heart is so filled with joy and love as I watch them

in the water or wander along the shoreline. To them it is sheer

pleasure and newness. The sound of the ocean, the gentle lapping

of the waves, the ebb and flow of the water, the shells, the seagulls,

the people all take on a new perspective.

How could I start my day any better? Gratitude, balance, and love

all lessons learned at the beach and surfing the waves of my life.

I'm a lucky guy. What simple pleasures and routines do you have

in your life?