This past week, a rare road trip during which neither of us took out our laptops. We spent nights in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, days in the tide pools or inland meadows. Rivers were flowing, wildflowers were flush, and the rolling hills looked like my imagination’s rendering of Ireland. Braggadocious colors at every turn. People were so welcoming on our Central Coast visit. We were even treated to an oral history of the Chinese settlement/community-building of 19th century San Luis Obispo.
Long distance travel is ever more difficult with our senior dog (Mia is 17 and strong), but this trip proved backyard tourism can be just as remarkable. And stepping away from my laptop put things in perspective, as it usually does; to such an extent that I didn’t realize how dire the situation. As much as I love writing and my daily routine, even that has its treadmill that needs to be hopped off of. Too much social media, too much trying too hard. Too much feeling sorry for myself when things aren’t happening at my invented pace. What I love has also been making me feel miserable. Then nature steps in to say This is the pace. This is what matters. Nature has a Me first selfless selfishness that I crave to heed; and it is right to show off its colors in a way that says Naive thing, you are so small. So small. Stay with me to grow stronger.
