A Girl and a Dog

Surfin’ USA. We all know the song and don’t lie; sometimes you want to blast it with the windows down when you’re somewhere nice in the summer. It’s a song I’ve been singing since I was a kid, yet until recently, I’d never even tried the sport. How could I be singing this song all these years when it couldn’t even resonate with me? That just didn’t seem right, so I had to fix it.

To catch you up quickly, I am #% years old, have participated in water sports my entire life, and still hold my nose when I go under the water. This didn’t seem like an option here. It was a thought I really had to get past. Seriously. I wasn’t looking forward to a saltwater nasal enema, but I powered through. I tried hard to forget the fact that it was jellyfish season and I’d just seen countless washed-up, tentacle-having blobs on the beach. Sharks? Well, I just can’t even let my mind go there. I have to enjoy this beautiful ocean we’ve been blessed with.

So, off I went nervously without a clue as to what I’d be doing other than falling off a board repeatedly. One week earlier at a local tourist spot, I had posed for a photo on a wooden cutout of a surfboard on a wave, oblivious to the fact that while enthusiastically presenting my “Surf’s up, dude!” hands, I was facing the wrong way on the “board.” Seemed like a good start. One attempt surfing at that angle and I’d be pinballing through the waves like a pair of tennis shoes in a dryer.

Shred I did not. Rip? I’m afraid that’s a no. I heard others throwing out these words, but if they were referencing my performance I assure you it was to talk about the ways in which my body was bending during each wipeout. Ah, yes! Wipeout: that’s the one they said about me! I did manage to catch three waves, and considering the pitiful whimpers heard from me each time I limply paddled out (which for a large part of the time probably looked like a girl paddling in place in the waves), I figure I’ll take it! Though I did somehow manage to take Tynley for a nice evening walk later that day, I spent a good 24 hours recovering from this outing and as I was splayed out on a lawn chair literally not moving upon my return home, I felt a wet doggie nose checking on me many times. I reassured Tynley I was okay each time with grunting sounds.

Confirming the guess I made prior to this experience, I learned that I prefer a sport with a more controlled environment. This led me to question myself and realize that maybe it doesn’t hurt every now and then to let go of control. After all, we’re never fully in control (or even close really). We can use caution and common sense, but if we take risks every now and then, we’ll fill our lives with excitement and as a bonus have more to look back on in our older years. Let’s keep it interesting!

I feel oddly addicted to this new sport and will be trying it again. All jokes aside, this was an incredible experience. In my past, I once stumbled upon an indoor surfing set-up. I was intrigued and now can appreciate an entirely new meaning for the words “inside, outside, USA.” Maybe one day when I’m actually decent at this, Tynley can join me. It’s a thing! I’m not kidding! Do yourself a favor and check it out by searching “dogs surfing.” Prepare for some smiles!

The lesson I learned? Put on those huarache sandals and tell the teacher you’re surfin’. We shouldn’t forget about rules and levelheaded behavior, but sometimes we can let go of control a little bit to gain a lot.

Here Tynley and I sit, soaking in life by the water mere steps from where we rest our heads at night, as I look toward our next chapter. You see, several months ago, we somehow snagged a chance to live in the exact location I’ve always dreamed of being in, an experience that is now coming to a close. The horns of the drawbridge sound as boats, kayakers, and paddle boarders glide by. The salty breeze feels just right as the smell of seafood becomes present and seagulls audibly make their presence known. The sun beats down as a nearby fish bites a hook and one happy dog decides on another roll in the sand. Life fills the air.

In a few days, we leave this beautiful location and will be lucky enough to move to another one very similar. While we won’t be far away and it still won’t take long for our toes to reach the sand, the location is new and even a simple change can sometimes mean butterflies in the stomach; the unknown can be intimidating. That being said, we have to remember to learn from one experience to succeed and grow in the next. So, as Tynley and I prepare to turn to a new page, I ask an important question.

As humans, when we change our direction, what do we take with us? Do we simply move forward without thought, or do we stop to absorb? I first take the realization that none of us can know what is around every next corner and while slightly daunting, isn’t this what makes life so wonderful? We thrive during times of change because this is when our strengths kick in and we get to know more about ourselves. In these times when we learn more about who we are, we can expect the resulting growth to help guide our purpose. As I look toward the transition into my new place by the sea, I stop to think about how I’ve grown from this part of the story.

First, I have been reminded I shouldn’t take things for granted. It’s easy for us to get caught up in daily life and walk around like robots, letting routines and to-do lists become top priority. Before you know it, we wonder how all of those days got away from us so quickly. So, I’ve learned it’s good to pause and think about what is important to you once in a while. Appreciate what you have created and surrounded yourself with so far, make sure you’re setting new goals for yourself, and then realize them, whether big, small, or in-between. New things to appreciate will follow.

Secondly, don’t equate the end of a happy chapter of life with sadness. Instead, refocus your thinking to realize the end of one part of the story can only mean the beginning of the next. How exciting is it when you shift your way of thought to view your course with a new lens?

Whether planned or not, change is going to happen. It’s inevitable and a good thing. Learn from it and make the most of each part of your personal narrative. Every component of the story has a purpose, whether we grow to understand the reason for each one or not.

Living with love in your heart is appreciating and embracing all aspects of your life. It starts with the loyal dog by your side, tail wagging as she happily waits for you to open your eyes each new day, the family members who support you and build you up, whether you share blood or not, and the neighbors who drop a surprise treat at your doorstep, knock, and then run. It continues with the friends who invite you out for good company and the boisterous children in your life who run at your feet. It extends beyond these important things as well, though.

We can get caught up in thoughts about that one thing we’d love to have or focus on the “missing elements” of our lives. “If I just had such and such, I’d be so content,” we declare. For some, it’s that significant other they’ve so hoped will come along: the love of a romantic relationship. Others are looking for that job that will make their career life seem complete: the love of one’s work. Still others long for that trip they’ve always wanted to take: the love of finally feeling rewarded.

Maybe instead of lying in wait, we just start filling our lives up now with what we love. The “what we love” part is unique to each of us and can consist of so many different things. Fulfillment equals a heart full of love, and I know because I excel at math equations (sending a shout out and thanks to all those patient friends from the past who are laughing right now–you know who you are).

Why waste time hoping this ideal will show up or even be able to measure up to what we’ve created mentally? Why torture ourselves in this way? We all have the capability to create the loves that are a part of our lives. Don’t wait for the weekend to get here. Don’t wait until Mary Poppins arrives at your doorstep. Don’t wait for the warm weather to show up. Don’t wait for the stars to align. We admittedly do these things because we’re human. I personally would settle for Cinderella’s fairy godmother as much as I would Mary Poppins. Bibbidi bobbidi boo! Hey, I’m not picky! I digress, though….

Use all of the seconds and minutes of your life. Fill them up with all that is out there. Intentionally encounter the things that interest you and even the things that don’t. Who knows what you might find? Gain knowledge and experience.

Sign up for that adventure that makes you bite your nails when you think about it. Learn about the music you love. Train for that physical challenge you’ve always thought about. Try the “weird” food. Meet new and different people and see what they can teach you about your own life.

An important aspect of feeling love is filling our hearts up with joy intentionally. Love yourself by making choices that add contentment to your life and watch everything else fall into place.

I don’t do cold. Seriously. I don’t. My functionality drops tremendously in an icy environment, and by icy I mean any temperature below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. When I found out it was going to snow at the beach, though, the little kid in me showed up, peering out the window hourly to find out if it had arrived yet. This would be my first experience with the unlikely occurrence, which just so happened to be part of an even more unique phenomenon called a Bombogenesis that was to happen north of my location.

The moment I saw those big, white flakes pouring from the sky, my stomach did a tiny flip and I began the layering process, adding gloves on top of gloves as Tynley bounded like a puppy, shaking her head happily in helicopter circles while running toward me and then the door repeatedly to remind me of the path we needed to take to get out there.

Let’s stop at this layering part for a moment. For all of you who live in this type of cold weather all winter or worse, for multiple seasons, how in the world do you deal with it daily? Call me lazy, but I’m a flip-flops-on and out-the-door person when I’m ready to go outside, which is always. This? Three shirts underneath two jackets and then I remember I wanted to wear that bottom shirt another day? As I tried to lace up my boots with range of motion comparable to that of a marshmallow woman, I suddenly became aware of why I needed to put down the cookies when the Christmas season ended.

I reminded Tynley that it would be best if she didn’t tear another ACL in the snow and she returned my words with crazy face. With eyes sparkling, tongue rolled out to the floor Odie style, and a giant smile, her rear end sat “patiently,” ready to spring into motion before the queue word “Okay!” fully left my lips.

Out we went for another adventure item on our bucket list. The wind was making palm fronds bend like Gumbi and the snow was pouring down diagonally just so that it landed in our eyes, but we didn’t care. We were the two “kids” bouncing excitedly with a ball across the perfectly-textured, powdery snow at midnight. Once the sun made its face present later in the AM, we would lace those boots up again to check things out more thoroughly!

We set out on foot the next day, exploring every aspect of our seaside surroundings. Tynley’s sporadic, cat-like jolts of running mixed with a brown nose glued to the ground told me she was as excited as I was. I allowed my childlike wonder to guide me. What does that warm-weather item look like with snow on it? Oooohh! What about this? Ahhhh. I felt like a kid in a candy store as my eyes surveyed every detail of this new take on a familiar setting. I didn’t want to miss a thing. The mind has a hard time accepting snow on Adirondack chairs. Icicles hanging from no surfing signs seem out of place. The small line of sand where the warm ocean meets the cold snow acts as a tiny path on which the best seashells are found. The juxtaposition of a snow mound with a line of sailboats is a delightful sight. Though I’d be cold, this sailboat scene was almost calling me as if to say, come, see what this looks like from a different perspective: the one out on the water. It touted, there’s a world out there; experience as much of it as you can!

The cold I’m not a fan of, but that day I didn’t notice. Seven miles later and with satisfaction, Tyn plopped down on the floor and I began to peel off all of my layers so I could thaw out. Thirty minutes after that, when the last glove was finally removed and a heap of clothing lay in a pile on my couch, I sat, too, and added a check on the list next to “See snow at the beach.”

My advice? Don’t let the many layers of everyday life stop you from doing the things you really want to do.

New Year’s Day. The twenty-four-hour period in which we all talk about the goals. This is what I’m gonna do, we say. Someone declare it from a mountaintop, ok? No, really! It’s happening this year! Lethargic January 1st behavior exhibited as a result of all of the delicious foods and beverages recently consumed is not in any way an indicator of how we will drive toward those goals this year, right? Posting this at 12:30 AM on what is technically January 2nd doesn’t suggest anything either, correct? On this day when Tynley looks at me as if to ask, “Why are we just sitting here?” I have a few thoughts:

Maybe we need to readjust our thinking. Why does a number on a calendar or clock have to be what tells us “it’s time” to work toward new goals? The time is “now,” whether now comes around in January, June, or December! “Now” starts in that moment you think of what you want to do next. Don’t let the sand run out in the hourglass. Don’t just think about it or talk about it. We’ve all taken the road named “I’ll do it later” a time or two. What’s stopping us from taking the new path this time? That other path…the road that hasn’t been traveled…it doesn’t seem to have any footprints on it. Anyone wanna go down it with me?

Tick, tock. 10, 9, 8, 7…. The clock strikes twelve every day. Happy New Year!

I’ll begin my story by telling you about Tynley, my twelve-year-old chocolate Lab. Wherever you find me, Tynley is sure to follow. If “dog friendly” is the case, count on her presence. She has been my smiling shadow for each of her twelve years. I go for a long walk? Tynley is there. I head to the beach? She’s with me. I make a quick trip to a different room in the house to grab something? Yup, she’s making the trip, too; arthritic Labrador hips can’t stop our bond.

Now let’s revisit this beach thing. Three years ago on a night in central NC, I decided to do something for just me (well, and Tynley). I had never strayed far from my nest of comfort. I could always pick up the phone and quickly find myself near family members or friends. December 19, 2014: it was the first time in my life I’d ever seriously thought of pursuing only my own desires without letting in any what ifs. I asked myself, where would I like to be and what would I like to be doing? This is not necessarily a bold move for many I understand, as a move from central NC to eastern NC can also be considered a game of hopscotch, but stop and ask yourself: how often do you look only at what you want from life without letting any other thoughts in? This is the first step to realizing your dreams, no matter the end-goal. Plans can always be tweaked as you move forward. This encouragement to ask “What do I want?” certainly does not suggest selfish thought, but merely is a nudge toward looking at what leads you to a more fulfilling journey. This happiness will trickle into the lives of those you love as well as they become aware of your contentedness.

So, I embraced change and adventure. Making the move to the beach, my small yet large step leading to a new outlook, was one of the best choices I’ve ever made because I allowed myself to go where my heart is happy. Like many others, I crave sand, salt water, and sun, except for me, this calling seems to run through my blood as a necessary component of my vitality. Do I make sacrifices by having a longer drive to attend family gatherings? I do. Is video chat a tool I use more often to see the smiling faces of those I love? It is. Did I place myself in a new location without the security of “having people”? I did. Did this change lead to personal awareness  and gratification along with adding smiles to the faces of those I love because they want to see me happy as well? Most definitely. Fast-forward to landing in a perfectly-situated home, and Tynley and I now embrace exploration on a daily basis, with one difference being I am now the grinning shadow; her excitement means that she pulls and I follow. I chased a dream and now Tynley and I live in paradise every day.

December 19. It’s a day I choose on the calendar that is meant for creating personal change. Anyone who knows me will quickly jest, Anna, out there on the Internet? Sharing personal thoughts? That’s the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard! Here I sit, though, in my super special beach spot (yes, Tynley is here), not on April Fool’s Day, preparing this message. This message is my personal reminder and a recommendation to others. Embrace change, challenges, adventure, and life!

My new daily mantra? I have the same 24 hours as everyone else. How will I spend mine? Time is free, but once it’s lost, I don’t get it back.

So, my question for you is this: where is your happy place?

Annnnd post….