My husband and I went on vacation to someplace warm and sunny a while back. It was a wonderful relaxing get away, something that we had not done without our children EVER! That alone was exciting. Our schedule was our own and I guarantee if you try it you will love it. Of course we have waited over 20 years to do it. I have grey hairs from waiting so long. Annnyyyway...one of the things that I found interesting and relaxing to do was search for sea glass and shells that may have washed up on the beach. Sea glass comes from glass items that deteriorate in the water and the little bits and pieces wash up having been tumbled and smoothed in the sand...brown, white and green, and on a lucky day you might find the elusive blue. It was like treasure hunting, finding these pretty pieces and tucking them into my pocket to admire and put in a jar when I got home.
Thinking about these treasures made me also think about my personal treasures. Bits and pieces of me that have been tumbled and polished over the years and also the pieces of me that of become trapped and don't seem to surface as they once did. These are the treasures that we set aside over time thinking we will come back to them one day. I want so badly to find away to get back to that part of me.
I want to focus on the wonder and joy around me but many times get trapped in Facebook scrolling through so many wonderful sayings and stories and then often times horrified and saddened. I spend way to much time flicking my finger on the screen scanning the treasures of others while mine sit dormant. I know I have something in me that is tumbling and polishing its self and I just need to stop and take the time to search for it.
It will not be as easy as walking on the warm sunny beach...(sigh) but somehow I know if I take the time to relax and focus on the calmness and the thrill of the hunt I may even find an elusive shiny something that reminds me that I have treasure left inside me. It's so easy to get caught up in the ordinary everyday people that we are and forget those little bits of who we hoped and wanted to become. So many dreams and wishes that get swept away when real life steps in. The one thing I need to remember is that there is no expiration date on my dreams unless I make one.
This being the beginning of a new year gives me the chance to pull my internal treasures out again and toss them around a bit. I need to look at them from every angle and appreciate them. Somewhere in my handful of dreams and treasures are very important pieces of myself that I have neglected for far to long. Won't you join me in rediscovering who we are? Somewhere inside of us is the special piece of us that was long neglected but not forgotten.
