"One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach. One can collect only a few,and they are more beautiful if they are few. One moon shell is more impressive than three. There is only one moon in the sky. One double-sunrise is an event; six are a succession, like a week of school days. Gradually one discards and keeps just the perfect specimen, not necessarily a rare shell, but a perfect one of its kind. One that sets it apart by itself, ringed around by space - like the island."
I'm going to do something differently this Monday. I am going to share with you one of my favorite books, Anne Morrow Lindhberg's A Gift From the Sea. It's about slowing down and absorbing life... it's about taking stock in what you have, all that you have... and no matter what our wants, wishes or struggles are, we really have so much. Sometimes it's hard to see that. With our busy and hectic schedules in our even more fast-paced lives, it's hard to slow down and smell the roses, or in this case, the ocean. But it's so important. It's an absolute necessity, and no matter how crazy our days are, there is no reason why we cannot create even 20 minutes to smell the ocean breezes.
Sit down with a cup of tea, share a snuggle on the couch with a loved one... write a letter, pick up a book or a magazine, or just sit and close your eyes and do nothing. I've been a huge advocate for slowing down for many, many years now. It started when my children were very young, in diapers and so very needy of my time and attention. I have never been so exhausted as when my children were babies. It was then that I created time for myself every day. Sometimes I hired a babysitter. Sometimes family members came over to help and sometimes I waited until my husband came home and I'd seek refuge in the bathroom (it had a lock!) and crawl into the tub with my bubbles, a great book and a glass of wine. I still do this from time to time, and while my life has changed and my children are much older, I am no less busy. I still need to recharge my batteries. We all do.
I still take stock and reassess my life. Every day. We all should. It's so important in helping us to grow, reflect and chase down our next dream... Whether we're just entering the working world, whether we're starting to create families of our own, or letting our children go and pursue their own dreams, our lives and needs and interests and desires are constantly changing and evolving.
And so, I want to share with you this book, A Gift from the Sea. I don't want to do it in the traditional sense. I don't want to host a book giveaway, though that was my first intent. I want this book to travel around the blogosphere. I want each and every one of us who read it to sign it and pass it on to someone else. I want to know where the book is each and every step of the way and I want to know your thoughts and what you took from the book... This is a gift from me to you, that you in turn can share... and so on and so on and so on...
What do you think of this idea? If you would like to participate leave me a note. Thanks!
I hope you'll read this at the end of your day... perhaps in the tub, perhaps on a couch, in bed, in a hammock under a large shady tree... I hope you'll enjoy it with a refreshing drink or a celebratory glass of bubbly!
Happy Monday, Happy My Day!
XOXO
Jessica