Being across the world and not in my comfort zone has made
me a bit wary at times. I feel incredibly lonely when sitting in a room full of
people because of the language barrier. I notice myself sitting in silence and
blankly staring into space. I’m realizing I am not in the present moment. I let
my mind wander to other places and don’t focus on what is right in front of me.
I think about what’s happening back at home, of the future, of the past, of
everything but the now.
This trip is going to teach me a lot. It is going to show me
things about myself that I have not noticed before. And more than anything it
is going to help me grow more than ever.
I need to appreciate the moment I am in. Focus on the sounds
around me. Focus on how I am feeling. The air that I am breathing in, the
smells I am inhaling, and all that I am seeing.
Take everything at a slower pace instead of racing through to the next
moment.
This past Saturday, I took in every moment and I never felt
more present.
I went to Tyre Beach with its grainy soft sand, crystal
turquoise water and cityscapes framing the sides. We planted ourselves
underneath a tent. Ordered some waters, handed the bag of fresh fish to the
waiter to cook for lunch and prepared ourselves for our swim.
We slowly walked towards the water with incredible
anticipation. It was vibrant, pure and inviting. The color was intoxicating to
look at with all of its shades of blue. As I stepped into the water a chill
shocked through my feet all the way through my spine and instant goose bumps
grew all over my body as I continued walking through. It was cold but I
couldn’t help but keep marching forward, I felt a pull from the sea bringing me
in.
And then the moment came where I could plunge myself into
the Mediterranean Sea. I dove into the water and swam deeper into the blue. My
eyes wide open under the water, I could see so clearly. I came up for air and
let myself lay upon the water. I didn’t move and let the waves carry my body; I
let the sea cradle me. I trusted nature. I knew no wave would be too big to
knock me down and I looked up at the sky. I felt my arms and legs flow freely
in the water and move with the movement of the sea. I let the sun beat down on
my face and warm my body as the cold water cooled it. The sensation of
temperatures and the movement of the water was so calming. The sea was tranquil and the water cleansing.
I swam deeper into the ocean with my eyes open. I came up for air and my eyes
burned from the salt but I didn’t care. I felt the sea cleansing me internally
and externally. My hair clung to the salt water and the dirt washed away. I
felt my worries melt into the water. I felt the past, the future and everything
but the now just dissolve into the sand. I was here in the sea swimming deep
into the present. I came out of the sea purified. I took a huge inhale and then
exhale. I am here, and I am happy.
